When I look at the JQuery plugin code, it almost seems to me that we are creating a function (although we use the JQuery.fn syntax) Functionally, what's a difference between a function and a plugin?
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possible duplicate of jquery - difference between $.functionName and $.fn.FunctionNameredsquare– redsquare2010-09-27 23:18:47 +00:00Commented Sep 27, 2010 at 23:18
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@redsquare - I disagree that this is a duplicate, he's asking about a function, not a function on the jQuery object, that's a much more narrowly scoped question you linked as a dupe...and it usually has a much narrower and specific purpose.Nick Craver– Nick Craver2010-09-28 00:19:21 +00:00Commented Sep 28, 2010 at 0:19
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3 Answers
A function is just a normal JavaScript function, for example:
function doSomething(param) {
alert(param);
}
A plugin is intended to be run on a set of elements, for example:
jQuery.fn.plugin = function(param) {
return this.attr('something', param);
}
This would set the 'something' attribute on all elements it was called on, like this:
$('.selector').plugin('value');
If you intend to use the function on a set of elements, like in a jQuery chain, then a plugin may be the answer for you...if you're just calling a function and doing stuff, really having nothing to do with a set of elements, use a plain named function.
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Basically a jQuery plugin is a function that is meant to extend jQuery's functionality, and can be applied to selectors more "naturally" than regular functions.
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The difference is that using $.fn means you can call the function chained onto any jQuery object
