Question

How can I write

 var menu = $('.something');

and use it in an external .js file like so:

 $(menu).attr("class", "active");

I have also tried declaring the external js file after the inline code and it will not work.

Answer 1

As long as you define menu before you import the external js file that references it, I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. Like:

<script type="text/javascript">
    menu = $('.something');
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="/js/fileThatReferencesMenu.js"></script>

Give that a try.