JavaScript getElementsByName

Usage:

• The getElementsByName() method is called on the Document object to select all elements with a specific name attribute.

Syntax:

var elements = document.getElementsByName(name);

• name is a string representing the value of the name attribute to match.

Return Value:

• The method returns a live NodeList (a list of elements) of all elements in the document with the specified name attribute.
• If no matching elements are found, an empty NodeList is returned.

Example:

<input type="text" name="username">
<input type="text" name="email">

var elements = document.getElementsByName('username');
console.log(elements); // Output: NodeList [ <input type="text" name="username"> ]

Accessing Elements:

• Elements in the returned NodeList can be accessed using index notation or iteration.
• Individual elements can then be manipulated or accessed further using their properties and methods.

Live Collection:

• The returned collection is live, meaning it automatically updates as elements are added, removed, or modified in the document.

Null Handling:

• If no elements match the specified name attribute, getElementsByName() returns an empty NodeList, not null.

Use Cases:

• getElementsByName() is commonly used to select form elements (such as input fields, radio buttons, and checkboxes) that share the same name attribute.

 

Key Points

• getElementsByName() retrieves a collection of HTML elements based on their name attribute.
• It returns a live NodeList, allowing dynamic manipulation and interaction with selected elements.
• This method is useful for selecting and working with groups of elements sharing a common name attribute, often used in forms and input fields.