jquery - Change event doesn't get called when the value of <select> is set programmatically

Question

Normally, when a user selects an item in a <select>, the 'change' event gets fired. However, when you change the value of the same <select> with $('select').val('something'), the event doesn't get fired.

I know I could do: $('select').val('something').trigger('change'); but that's not the problem I'm trying to solve...

Is there a way to get the change event working, without manually triggering it?

I put together a quick JsFiddle to better explain the problem, check it out:

http://jsfiddle.net/W723K/1/

Cheers

Answer 1

It's not possible, unless you manually trigger the change function. If you don't like typing that code several times, extend the jQuery object. Fiddle: http://jsfiddle.net/W723K/2/

(function($){
    $.fn.changeVal = function(value){
        return this.each(function(){
            $(this).val(value).trigger('change');
        });
    }
})(jQuery);

//Usage:
$('select').changeVal('something');