how to get attribute value as array using jQuery

Question

I save an array value as attribute of element, but I can't get the attribute value as an array, it's string.

How can I get it as an array?

I will add code for this question.

Thanks.

Code:

<table columnArray="">.....</table>
var columns = $('table > thead > tr > *').map(function(){return {left: $(this).position().left, width: $(this).width()};});
$('table').attr('columnArray', columns.get());
...
...
var columns = $(table).attr('columnArray');

Now columns variable has string value, not array.

Answer 1

Perhaps you want to use the data function instead.

$('#el').data('myArray',[1,2,3]);
var myArray = $('#el').data('myArray'); // [1,2,3]

Answer 2

Looks like you are confusing HTML markup and Javascript variables.

Once you store the array, it'll be available to you in your Javascript:

<table>.....</table>

In your seprate JS file:

var columns = $('table > thead > tr > *').map(function(){
    return {
        left: $(this).position().left, 
        width: $(this).width()
    };
});

// You can now use columns in this scope.

Answer 3

array = $("your selector").attr("your attribute").split(",");
// "abc,def,ghi" gets ["abc", "def", "ghi"]