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JavaScript Building a Search Feature

Posted by gevuong
gevuong
2,377 Points

What is the difference between e.target vs e.currentTarget and when should you use one over the other?

I noticed in this tutorial, console logging both e.target.value and e.currentTarget.value provided the same value. What is the difference between the two and when should you use one over the other? Thanks in advance!

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,184 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,184 Points

In simple handlers, these will always be the same.

The difference becomes apparent when you create delegated handlers. The value of e.target represents the element which caused the event, where e.currentTarget represents the element that the listener is attached to. Event propagation ("bubbling") is responsible for the difference.

The one to use will depend on what you want to accomplish. But most commonly, e.target will be the one you want.