client - How does jQuery .data() work?

Question

I want to use .data() in my application. The examples are helpful, but I do not understand however where the values are stored.

I inspect the webpage with Firebug and as soon as .data() saves an object to a dom element, I do not see any change in Firebug (either HTML or Dom tabs).

I tried to look at jQuery source, but it is very advanced for my Javascript knowledge and I lost myself.

So the question is:

Where do the values stored by jQuery.data() actually go? Can I inspect/locate/list/debug them using a tool?

Answer 1

Have a look at the source for it.

From a quick glimpse, it looks like it's storing the data in that cache variable that is created on line 2.

Edit:

Here's a quick demo that finds the data in the cache: http://jsfiddle.net/CnET9/

You can also dump $.cache to your console and explore it manually.