Reason for .get() without index in jQuery API?

Question

Let's say that I've got a page which extracts some image sources like so:

<div id="d">
  <img src="foo.gif"/>
  <img src="bar.gif"/>
  <img src="gah.gif"/>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">
  var srcs = $('div#d > img').map(function(){return this.src});
  // srcs => ['foo.gif', 'bar.gif', 'gah.gif']
</script>

Note that srcs is not a JavaScript Array but an array-like object; we know this because of the fact that we can make jQuery API calls on objects returned by the selector and the fact that srcs.constructor != Array.

The jQuery API provides a .get() method which, when given no argument, returns a "standard" Array. Is there a compelling reason to use a standard Array instead of an array-like object or is this method just included for completeness?

[Edit]

To put it another way - what are the differences between a JavaScript Array and the array-like object returned by a jQuery selector?

The quest continues! stackoverflow.com/questions/6253601/… — John Strickler
– John Strickler, Commented Jun 6, 2011 at 15:19

SLaks · Accepted Answer · 2011-06-06 15:18:59Z

2

It allows you to use standard array methods which jQuery doesn't have, such as push.

In particular, jQuery objects are intended to be immutable, whereas arrays are not.

answered Jun 6, 2011 at 15:18

SLaks

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Comments

Z. Zlatev · Accepted Answer · 2011-06-06 19:12:25Z

1

Main advantage of get is enabling negative indexes like -1 for getting last element. No argument just gets you the raw unwrapped array of matched elements.

edited Jun 6, 2011 at 19:12

answered Jun 6, 2011 at 15:28

Z. Zlatev

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