If not applicable, ignore JavaScript function -

i have function changes element of markup don't have control over. has been working great, on pages - there no element of name. js compiled 1 file - , on pages no match, error: uncaught typeerror: cannot read property 'attributes' of undefined

(function($) {     $.fn.changeelementtype = function(newtype) {          // create object store attributes         var attrs = {};          // save out values object         $.each(this[0].attributes, function(idx, attr) {             attrs[attr.nodename] = attr.nodevalue;         });          // replace element - , put original values         this.replacewith(function() {             return $("<" + newtype + "/>", attrs).append($(this).contents());         });     }; })(jquery); 

(for example, should list , not tons of divs) $('.list-view').changeelementtype('ul');

so instinct put if statement or if no match there - doesn't in way. - i'm not sure on direction take.

i used use function expressions everything, think that's why i've never needed deal this.

if i'm reading question correctly, can return if there no match. happen if this.length 0. instance change code following:

(function($) {     $.fn.changeelementtype = function(newtype) {          // if there no match, return         if (this.length === 0) return;          // create object store attributes         var attrs = {};          // save out values object         $.each(this[0].attributes, function(idx, attr) {             attrs[attr.nodename] = attr.nodevalue;         });          // replace element - , put original values         this.replacewith(function() {             return $("<" + newtype + "/>", attrs).append($(this).contents());         });     }; })(jquery);