Getattribute() versus Element object properties?

javascript

prompt-engineering

best-practices

performance

byAlex Kataev·Feb 8, 2025

When you call getAttribute(), it fetches the attribute's initial value from the HTML source. Conversely, if you want the current state, simply access the property on the Element. Static or constant attributes use getAttribute() while dynamic or live state properties directly access Element object.

Check out the example:

<input type="text" value="original" id="inputField">
<script>
  let inputElem = document.getElementById('inputField');

  console.log(inputElem.getAttribute('value')); // Prints "original" because it's as unchanging as your love for coding
  console.log(inputElem.value); // Prints "original" first but changes later... kind of like your code after debugging

  inputElem.value = 'updated';
  console.log(inputElem.getAttribute('value')); // Sneaky! Still prints "original" because attributes can't be fooled that easily
  console.log(inputElem.value); // Prints "updated" because properties just can't keep a secret
</script>

The attributes reflect the initial or static state whereas properties reveal the latest or dynamic state.

Deciding between Properties and getAttribute

Properties: Your real-time buddies

Properties represent current states and are your first pick when dealing with dynamic data. Think element.checked for checkboxes, reflecting the user interactions.

Synchronization: It's not "It's complicated"

Alteration of a property like element.id leads to a change in the id attribute but modifying an attribute doesn't always update its property counterpart. It's like a one-sided love...one-sided sync, I mean.

Staying in the standards corner

If you're venturing into custom attributes or data-attributes, use getAttribute(). Why, you ask? Because they aren't standard properties of DOM elements. Also, it's handy to avoid non-standard attributes - you won't regret the HTML validity.

Browser-dependent behavior and Performance

Historically, each browser performs at its top with specific attributes. For instance, Internet Explorer with getAttribute() for style or href attributes. But nowadays, browsers are playing nice, making the performance difference almost negligible.

When getAttribute shines

Get the original or stick with the customs

So when do you call up getAttribute()? Simple. When you need the element's initial value or when handling custom attributes. It gives you the exact value from the HTML markup left unaltered.

Dealing with the Boolean folks

When handling boolean attributes, using properties is more efficient as getAttribute() will return string values "true"/"false" instead of booleans.

Form values and reset strategies

You can fetch default values of form elements using getAttribute(). Quite handy when you need to reset the form to its initial state, kind of like a self-cleanse, without needing to reload the page.

The tale of paths and URLs

When you're handling links, element.href property spews out the full URL while getAttribute('href') gives the exact value from the HTML markup, could be relative or absolute.

Going from Code to Real World

DOM and JavaScript Engine Optimizations

Modern JavaScript engines have leveled up and optimized property access, which now comes out faster than getAttribute(). Use direct property access when performance matters and when you're dealing with standard attributes.

Setting values: What changes and what doesn't

When setting attribute values, ponder - do you need the change to manifest in the HTML? Using direct property like element.value only changes the property and stays shy from the attribute. But setAttribute('value', 'new') is bolder, changing both attribute and property.

An Image's worth: Loaded vs. Initial values

For images, img.width as a property gives the rendered dimensions. But our snitch here, getAttribute('width'), tattles the initial value from the markup which could be different post-loading.

Case sensitivity in Attributes: An important heads-up

JavaScript is case-sensitive while HTML isn't. So, both element.getAttribute('VALUE') and element.getAttribute('value') are one and the same (unlike my coffee preferences!). But, stick to lowercase in JavaScript for attribute names to maintain sanity and consistency.

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