[javascript] Angularjs: Get element in controller

$element is one of four locals that $compileProvider gives to $controllerProvider which then gets given to $injector. The injector injects locals in your controller function only if asked.

The four locals are:

  • $scope
  • $element
  • $attrs
  • $transclude

The official documentation: AngularJS $compile Service API Reference - controller

The source code from Github angular.js/compile.js:

 function setupControllers($element, attrs, transcludeFn, controllerDirectives, isolateScope, scope) {
    var elementControllers = createMap();
    for (var controllerKey in controllerDirectives) {
      var directive = controllerDirectives[controllerKey];
      var locals = {
        $scope: directive === newIsolateScopeDirective || directive.$$isolateScope ? isolateScope : scope,
        $element: $element,
        $attrs: attrs,
        $transclude: transcludeFn
      };

      var controller = directive.controller;
      if (controller == '@') {
        controller = attrs[directive.name];
      }

      var controllerInstance = $controller(controller, locals, true, directive.controllerAs);