html - Why does javascript not see the "selected" attribute on my select option? -

short version:

after inserting select element options dom ajax call "selected" attribute on option isn't recognized javascript. it's if it's not there though looking @ in firebug can see is.

long version:

i'm using jquery plugin generates "multi select" (select imitation checkboxes pretty much) based on actual html select options can have "selected" attribute. plugin checks if selected attribute exists doing

$(this).attr('selected') == true 

and if exists sets corresponding checkbox checked. works when load page normally. need reload data if user chooses filter , here problem is. new data fetched via ajax , plugin reapplied new markup "selected" attribute isn't considered present even though it's there before. other attributes work fine "selected" bizarrely enough doesn't. markup both when works , when doesn't.

<option value="1" selected="selected" warning="true"> text</option>

i'm scratching head on this. got suggestion?

forget jquery's confusingly named attr() method , attributes in general, , instead use selected property of option, boolean , works in major browsers released since 1996:

// assuming select list stored in variable called select alert( select.options[0].selected ); 

if must use jquery option, here's equivalent:

alert( $(this)[0].selected ); 

attributes never want, since incorrectly implemented in ie , ever represent initial value of aspect of element, not current value. jquery's attr() method uses properties internally.