Execute jquery command from a string without using eval()

Question

I have this javascript array of jquery commands:

var a = ["$('div').hide();","$('span').show();","$('p').fadeIn(100);"];

I want to execute, let's say the first command in the array, but with no use of

eval(a[0]);

Is there a better possible way to do so?

Thanks.

does new Function(a[0])() works for you!!! - (it is the same as using eval :() — Arun P Johny
– Arun P Johny, Commented Sep 11, 2014 at 13:02
@ArunPJohny — That is, effectively, eval by another name. — Quentin
– Quentin, Commented Sep 11, 2014 at 13:03

Quentin · Accepted Answer · 2014-09-11 13:03:18Z

3

Given your precondition: no.

The better solution would be to change the array so it contained functions instead of strings.

var a = [
    function () {
        $('div').hide();
    },
    function () {
        $('span').show();
    },
    function () {
        $('p').fadeIn(100);
    }
];

a[0]();

answered Sep 11, 2014 at 13:03

Quentin

948k136 gold badges1.3k silver badges1.4k bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

Anton · Accepted Answer · 2014-09-11 13:07:27Z

2

You can also use an object with functions in it

var a = {
    hideDiv: function () {
        $('div').hide();
    },
    showSpan: function () {
        $('span').show();
    },
    fadeinP: function () {
        $('p').fadeIn(100);
    }
}

Use it like this

a.hideDiv();
a.showSpan();
a.fadeinP();

DEMO

answered Sep 11, 2014 at 13:07

Anton

32.6k5 gold badges47 silver badges54 bronze badges

Comments

Jean-Karim Bockstael · Accepted Answer · 2014-09-11 13:06:56Z

1

Not an especially better way to do so, but a different way:

// create a new script element
var elem = document.createElement("script");
elem.type = "text/javascript";
elem.innerHTML = a[0];

// add it to the document body so it gets executed
document.getElementsByTagName("body")[0].appendChild(elem);

However, if you can choose to have a different data structure to start with and have functions instead of their source code, it becomes much easier and cleaner:

var a = [
    function() { $('div').hide(); },
    function() { $('span').show(); }
    function() { $('p').fadeIn(100); }];
// invokation is clean
a[0]();

answered Sep 11, 2014 at 13:06

Jean-Karim Bockstael

1,41510 silver badges18 bronze badges

2 Comments

donkey kong Over a year ago

Is the first option really better than using eval()?, is'nt it the same after all?

Jean-Karim Bockstael Over a year ago

That's exactly why I said it's different but not better, yes it's basically an eval.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Execute jquery command from a string without using eval()

3 Answers 3

Comments

Comments

2 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

3 Answers 3

Comments

Comments

2 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related