Create DOM element from jQuery selector

Question

I was wondering if it were possible to, instead of selecting an element from the DOM via a jQuery selector, if I can create one instead.

For example:

Answer 1

To create

try

$('
').appendTo('body');

To create

same as

$('
').appendTo('body');

$('

') will create new element but not add it to DOM.

To add that element you need to use append() or appendTo() or insetAfter() or insertBefore() and so on.

It is better to use a function to:

function createElement(el, target) {
   $(el).appendTo(target);
}

use the function like:

createElement('
', 'body');

You can also append newly created element to any other target instead of body.

I think following function will help you:

function createElement(el, prop, target) {
  var props = prop.split('.'),
      newelement = $(el),
      id = '',
      className = '';
    $.each(props, function(i, val) {
        if(val.indexOf('#') >= 0) {
           id += val.replace(/^#/, '');
        } else {
           className += val + ' ';
        }
    });
    if(id.length) newelement.attr('id', id);
    if(className.length) newelement.attr('class', className.trim());

    $(newelement).html('Newly born').appendTo(target);
}

createElement('div', '#test.a.b', '#con');​ // will work for #test.a.b or, .a.b or, #test.a

DEMO