How can I get the elements without a particular attribute by jQuery

Question

I know how to get elements with a particular attribute:

$("#para [attr_all]")

But how can I get the elements WITHOUT a particular attribute? I try

 $("#para :not([attr_all])")

But it doesn't work. What is the correct way to do this?

Let me give an example.

$("#para [optional]") <--- give me the fname element
$("#para :not([optional])") <--- give me the fname, lname, email (fname should not appear here)

Answer 1

Try $("#para [attr!=val]").

Your :not really should work, though, which makes me suspect something else is going on.

Edit (Machine): For a full list of attribute selectors, see this link to the JQuery Selectors docs

Answer 2

First thing that comes to my mind (maybe sub optimal)

    $('p').filter(function(){
         return !$(this).attr('attr_all');
    });

However p:not([attr_all]) should work so I think something else is going on.

Answer 3

If your code example is the exact code you're using, I think the problem is an errant space.

$("#para :not([attr_all])")

should be

$("#para:not([attr_all])")

If you leave a space in there, it changes the meaning of the selector.