Question

I’m trying to get the content of the dt element using jquery.

var test_name = $('dt').text();
alert(test_name);

<dt> cycle_1 </dt>

This is not working. What I’m doing wrong? Meaning the alert message does not display.

Answer 1

<script type="text/javascript">

$(function() {
    var test_name = $('dt').text();
    alert(test_name);
});

</script>

<dt> cycle_1 </dt>

You need the code to run after page loaded and all jQuery stuff. So, you use $document.ready(/* some function containing your code */) for this. The shortcut for this is $(/* function */), then you pass your code in anonymous function (don’t have to name it).