When Should You Use `setAttribute` vs. Dot Attribute Notation in JavaScript?

When to Utilize setAttribute vs. Dot Attribute Notation in JavaScript

The choice between setAttribute and dot attribute notation in JavaScript has been subject to debate. While both methods allow for setting values of HTML elements, there are subtle differences to consider.

Standard Attributes vs. Non-Standard Attributes

According to "JavaScript: The Definitive Guide," HTML elements expose JavaScript properties corresponding to standard HTML attributes. For these, the dot attribute notation (e.g., myObj.className = "nameOfClass") is preferred.

However, for non-standard attributes that are not natively supported by JavaScript, setAttribute is necessary. This method accepts two parameters: the attribute name as a string and its value. For instance, to set the non-standard "frameborder" attribute:

node.setAttribute('frameborder', '0');

Examples:

• For standard attributes:

const heading = document.createElement('h1');
heading.id = 'main-heading'; // Dot attribute notation preferred
heading.className = 'heading-style'; // Dot attribute notation preferred

• For non-standard attributes:

const frame = document.createElement('iframe');
frame.setAttribute('frameborder', '0'); // setAttribute required for non-standard attributes

Conclusion:

In general, the dot attribute notation should be used for setting standard HTML attributes, as it provides a direct and concise syntax. However, for non-standard attributes, setAttribute is the appropriate method to ensure compatibility across different browsers.

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