jQuery is not a function error

Question

What is wrong with this statement?

message = $("#contact-form").find(".long-text");

if(message.val().length < 15)
{
    message.css("border","2px solid red");
    alert("Your message must be more than 15 character long");
}

I get message.val is not a function error in Firebug? What could be the reason?

NEW

OK, now my form won't submit if I have more or less than 15 characters. Should I open a new question on this or should I continue on this one?

I have this inside:

$("#contact-form").submit(function(){
  message = $("#contact-form").find(".long-text");

    if(message.val().length < 15)
    {
        message.css("border","2px solid red");
        alert("Your message must be more than 15 character long");
        return false;
    }
    else {
        Post form with Ajax ..
    }
});

Each independent question is supposed to have its own thread. — BalusC
– BalusC, Commented Feb 20, 2010 at 23:00

BalusC · Accepted Answer · 2010-02-20 22:59:19Z

4

As you can see in the syntax highlighter, the quotes went bogus :) There's a doublequote missing.

Besides, the val() only works on input elements (input, select, textarea and button). If it is indeed not an input element, then rather use text() instead. Further there's no such function as length(), you probably would like to use the length property.

I recommend to go get yourself through some basic jQuery tutorials and/or to go get a jQuery book.

edited Feb 20, 2010 at 22:59

answered Feb 20, 2010 at 22:45

BalusC

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Comments

alex · Accepted Answer · 2010-02-20 22:47:03Z

0

Besides missing the end quote delimiter, here are some other notes

length is a property, not a method. It should be message.val().length
val() is also only useful for HTML input elements. You could try message.html().length or use text(), depending on your requirements

answered Feb 20, 2010 at 22:47

alex

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Comments

ant · Accepted Answer · 2010-02-20 22:49:32Z

0

How about .length instead of length()

answered Feb 20, 2010 at 22:49

ant

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Comments

Rouan van Dalen · Accepted Answer · 2010-02-20 23:02:41Z

-1

You could try

message = $("#contact-form").find(".long-text").first();

edited Feb 20, 2010 at 23:02

answered Feb 20, 2010 at 22:47

Rouan van Dalen

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