HTML-encoding lost when attribute read from input field

Question

I’m using JavaScript to pull a value out from a hidden field and display it in a textbox. The value in the hidden field is encoded.

For example,

Answer 1

Prototype has it built-in the String class. So if you are using/plan to use Prototype, it does something like:

'
This is an article
'.escapeHTML();
// -> "<div class="article">This is an article</div>"