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Yan Kozlovskiy
30,427 PointsWhen should you use event.preventDefault()?
I am not entirely sure when I should use this jQuery method.
3 Answers
Steven Parker
231,269 Points
For example: a common use is when you attach a custom button-click handler to a form submit button. If your handler is validating the data and finds it unsuitable, it can use this to prevent the submit from actually happening.
Nicholas Pretorius
18,684 PointsYou can use it when there is a default behaviour for an HTML element. (https://api.jquery.com/event.preventDefault/) For example: when clicking a link, submitting a form, checking a check box etc.
I guess the most common use case would be when you want to bypass an action for some reason.
The DOM Web API has a similar method built in to use directly through JavaScript. https://developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/Web/API/Event/preventDefault
Yan Kozlovskiy
30,427 PointsIs it always for default HTML behavior and nothing else?
Nicholas Pretorius
18,684 PointsGoing by the name of the function and the description of it, I would say yes.
Shafeeq Ahmed
6,058 PointsShafeeq Ahmed
6,058 PointsThere some places the browser has a default actions for some events on some elements. for example if you click on anchor element (link) it will take you to another page. to prevent such default actions you should use this method.