Get the current jQuery selector string?

Question

When calling a custom plugin, how can I get the current selector string?

$(\'my_selector p\').my_plugin();

Would like to output my_se

Answer 1

Extending to kevinmicke's answer : You can get the selector in your event object that you pass on callback functions.

In callback functions

event.handleObj.selector

Example:

You'll get the selector string in e.handleObj.selector

    $( '.container' )
    .on('change', 'select.mySelector', function (e) {
        console.log(JSON.stringify(e));
        $('.selector').text(e.handleObj.selector);
        $('.value').text($(this).val());
    });

<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.1.1/jquery.min.js"></script>
<div class="container">

  <select class="mySelector">
    <option value="volvo">Volvo</option>
    <option value="saab">Saab</option>
    <option value="mercedes">Mercedes</option>
    <option value="audi">Audi</option>
  </select>
  <h3>Your Selector: <span class="selector"></span></h3>
  <h3>Selected Value: <span class="value"></span></h3>
  
</div>

Console Log gives an object like this:

{
    // ...skipped lines
    "handleObj": {
        "type": "change",
        "origType": "change",
        "guid": 1,
        "selector": "select.mySelector",
        "needsContext": false,
        "namespace": ""
    }
}

Answer 2

You can use selector property:

$('my_selector p').selector // my_selector p

version deprecated: 1.7, removed: 1.9