How to check if the DOM is ready?

By: Rajesh P.S.

JavaScript files are executed upon download, but they can block the DOM rendering process. To avoid potential issues with incomplete DOM structures, it's essential to encapsulate your JavaScript code within $(document).ready(). This method ensures that your code runs only when the DOM, including all HTML elements except iframes, is ready for manipulation, enhancing the reliability of your scripts.

Load and DOMContentLoaded

There are two key points at which you can execute code with a fully loaded DOM tree: "load" and "DOMContentLoaded." Notably, "DOMContentLoaded" fires considerably earlier than "load." The $(document).ready() function, or its equivalent in vanilla JavaScript, triggers code execution as soon as the DOM is ready and available for script manipulation. It represents the earliest stage in the page load process where scripts can safely interact with elements in the HTML DOM of the page.

It is always a great idea to wrap your Javascript code inside jQuery.ready() . You can use the explicit call.

$(document).ready(function(){ // do this after dom is ready });

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Or use the shortcut

$(function(){ // do this after dom is ready });

Conclusion

To determine if the DOM is ready for manipulation in JavaScript, you can use the $(document).ready() function (or the equivalent vanilla JavaScript event, "DOMContentLoaded"). This ensures that your code executes at the earliest point during the page's load process when the DOM is fully accessible, allowing safe interaction with HTML elements.

Next > How to Use the jQuery load() Method

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