Use of clone method in jQuery?

The clone() method in jQuery duplicates DOM elements along with their associated data and events. This includes the matched elements, their descendant elements, text nodes, and attributes. The method returns a jQuery object representing the cloned elements.

Syntax
$(selector).clone(truefalse)

The clone() method in jQuery internally preserves all event handlers attached to the cloned element. It offers the option to create a deep copy, including the source element's events. When combined with insertion methods, such as .append() or .appendTo(), .clone() becomes a useful tool for duplicating elements within a web page, maintaining their event bindings in the process.

$("button").click(function(){ $("div").clone().appendTo("body"); });
<div>First Div</div> <div>Second Div</div>
run this source code Browser View
First Div
Second Div


source

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head> <title>jQuery clone() method</title> <script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.3.1/jquery.min.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> $(document).ready(function(){ $("button").click(function(){ $("div").clone().appendTo("body"); }); }); </script> </head> <body> <div>First Div</div> <div>Second Div</div> <button>Clone It</button> </body> </html>

Cloning elements is a useful technique, but it's crucial to handle events correctly to ensure consistent and expected behavior. Properly identifying and managing events during the cloning process is essential to avoid potential issues and erratic results in your web applications.

Difference between .clone() and .html() in jQuery?

The .clone() and .html() methods in jQuery serve different purposes and have distinct behaviors:

.clone() Method

  1. The .clone() method is used to create a deep copy of the selected elements, including all their descendants (child elements), text nodes, and associated data and events.
  2. It returns a jQuery object representing the cloned elements.
  3. Cloning with .clone() is often used when you want to duplicate elements with their complete structure and content.
var original = $("#myElement"); var cloned = original.clone();

.html() Method

  1. The .html() method is used to get or set the HTML content of the selected element(s). It does not create a copy of the element or its descendants; instead, it operates on the existing element.
  2. When used to set HTML content, it replaces the content of the selected element(s) with the specified HTML string.
  3. When used to get HTML content, it returns the HTML content of the first element in the jQuery collection.
Example (Setting HTML):
$("#myElement").html("<p>New content</p>");
Example (Getting HTML):
var htmlContent = $("#myElement").html();
Key Differences:
  1. .clone() creates a deep copy of elements and their descendants, while .html() deals with the HTML content of the selected element(s) without creating a copy.
  2. .clone() returns a jQuery object representing the cloned elements, whereas .html() either sets or retrieves HTML content.

Conclusion

The .clone() method is used to create a deep copy of selected elements, including all descendants, text nodes, and associated data and events. It is valuable when you need to duplicate elements with their complete structure and content, maintaining their event bindings and data in the process.