JS & jQuery Can't Detect HTML Elements: Resolving the Undefined Dilemma

When attempting to manipulate HTML elements using JavaScript (JS) and jQuery, you may encounter the frustrating issue where the elements are not detected and their values are returned as undefined. This perplexing error can stem from a common oversight in the code structure.

Understanding the Error

In the provided code snippet, the script files (jQuery and your script) are located in the

Resolving the Problem

To rectify this issue, there are several viable solutions:

Option 1: Move Script Tags to Bottom

Placing the script elements at the end of the HTML document ensures that they execute after all the HTML elements have been parsed and rendered. This approach is generally recommended as it eliminates potential timing issues.

Option 2: Use jQuery's Ready Feature

jQuery provides the $(function() { ... }); construct to execute code when the DOM (Document Object Model) has finished loading. This approach ensures that elements are available before the code is run.

Option 3: Utilize the Defer Attribute (Caution)

The defer attribute can be added to the

Recommendation

For optimal compatibility and ease of implementation, moving the script tags to the end of the HTML document is the preferred solution. This ensures that the elements they interact with exist at the time of execution.