Most efficient way to re-use jQuery-selected elements

Question

I can imagine the correct answer to this based on theory, but I\'m just looking for some confirmation. I\'m wondering what the most efficient way to re-use a jQuery-selected ele

Answer 1

This also holds for applying the jQuery function to elements returned in an event handler. Try to avoid applying $(...) too many times, because this is slow. Instead create a variable that contains the result of $(...). Good practice is to start the variable with a $, which gives a hint about the jQuery object inside the variable.

$('a').click(function(){
  var $this = $(this);
  $this.addClass("clicked");
  $this.attr("clicked", true);
});