.first()

Syntax

.first()

Parameters

None

Return value

The new jQuery object.

Description

Reduce the set of matched elements to the first in the set.

Examples

Consider a page with a simple list as follows:

 
<ul>
 <li>list item 1</li>
 <li>2</li>
 <li>3</li>
 <li>4</li>
 <li>5</li>
</ul>

$('li').first().css('background-color', 'red'); marks item 1 red.

The following code get first and last

 
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
    <head>
        <script src="http://java2s.com/Book/JavaScriptDemo/jQuery/jquery-1.8.0.min.js">
        </script>
        <script>
            $(function(){
                var listElements = $("li");
                var firstEl = listElements.first();
                var lastEl = listElements.last();

                document.writeln("firstEl value:" + firstEl.html());
                document.writeln("firstEl length:" + firstEl.length);

                document.writeln("lastEl value:" + lastEl.html());
                document.writeln("firstEl length:" + firstEl.length);
            });
        </script>
    </head>
    <body>
        <ul>
            <li>A</li>
            <li>B</li>
            <li>C</li>
        </ul>
    </body>
</html>

Click to view the demo