parentElement returns undefined Javascript

Question

I want to set an attribute of "attribute" with the value of "value" on the Sprint link, why is the parentElement returning undefined?

<a> Sprint
    <script>  
      const value = "sprint-info"
      const target = this.parentElement;
      target.setAttribute("attribute", "value");
      console.log(target)
    </script>  
  </a>

See: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/403967/how-may-i-reference-the-script-tag-that-loaded-the-currently-executing-script — David Callanan, Jul 31 '21 at 14:39
Does this answer your question? [How may I reference the script tag that loaded the currently-executing script?](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/403967/how-may-i-reference-the-script-tag-that-loaded-the-currently-executing-script) — Ivar, Jul 31 '21 at 14:42
As for how the `this` works, see [How does the “this” keyword work?](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3127429/how-does-the-this-keyword-work) — Ivar, Jul 31 '21 at 14:42

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Jul 31 '21 at 14:40

0

Try:

<a> Sprint
    <script>  
      const value = "sprint-info"
      const target = document.currentScript.parentElement;
      target.setAttribute("attribute", "value");
      console.log(target)
    </script>  
  </a>

answered Jul 31 '21 at 14:40

David Callanan

5,601
7
63
105

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 02 '21 at 11:21

You can add an id to the script tag, and get the parentElement using querySelector.

<a> Sprint
    <script id="myScript">  
      const value = "sprint-info"
      const target = document.querySelector("#myScript").parentElement;
      target.setAttribute("attribute", "value");
      console.log(target)
    </script>  
  </a>

Mamunur Qureshi · Answer 3 · 2021-08-02T11:11:46.667

-1

A script tag is not treated as a tradition DOM element, you're better of just using a querySelector

<a class="sprint"> Sprint </a>

<script>  
      const value = "sprint-info"
      const target = document.querySelector('.sprint');
      target.setAttribute("attribute", "value");
      console.log(target)
</script>

edited Aug 02 '21 at 11:11

answered Jul 31 '21 at 14:49

Mamunur Qureshi

46
1
8

This solution does work, but does not directly answer the question. Also I believe the statement "A script tag is not treated as an HTML element" is incorrect. – David Callanan Jul 31 '21 at 14:53
1

A script tag is most definitely treated as an HTML element. An [`HTMLScriptElement`](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/HTMLScriptElement) to be precise. – Ivar Jul 31 '21 at 14:55
Sorry I guess I should have said "tradition DOM element" my bad, reading that again I can understand that could have caused confusion – Mamunur Qureshi Aug 02 '21 at 11:10

parentElement returns undefined Javascript

3 Answers3