Get element type with jQuery

Question

Is it possible, using jQuery, to find out the type of an element with jQuery? For example, is the element a div, span, select, or input?

For example, if I am trying to load values into a drop-down list with jQuery, but the same script can generate code into a set of radio buttons, could I create something like:

$('.trigger').live('click', function () {    var elementType = $(this).prev().attr(WHAT IS IT); }); 

Given a drop-down list with a button next to it with the trigger class, my elementType variable should return select upon the button being pressed.

Answer 1

Getting the element type the jQuery way:

var elementType = $(this).prev().prop('nodeName'); 

doing the same without jQuery

var elementType = this.previousSibling.nodeName; 

Checking for specific element type:

var is_element_input = $(this).prev().is("input"); //true or false 

Answer 2

also you can use:

$("#elementId").get(0).tagName