angular.js/src/ng/directive/a.js

'use strict';

/*
 * Modifies the default behavior of html A tag, so that the default action is prevented when href
 * attribute is empty.
 *
 * The reasoning for this change is to allow easy creation of action links with `ngClick` directive
 * without changing the location or causing page reloads, e.g.:
 * <a href="" ng-click="model.$save()">Save</a>
 */
var htmlAnchorDirective = valueFn({
  restrict: 'E',
  compile: function(element, attr) {
    // turn <a href ng-click="..">link</a> into a link in IE
    // but only if it doesn't have name attribute, in which case it's an anchor
    if (!attr.href) {
      attr.$set('href', '');
    }

    return function(scope, element) {
      element.bind('click', function(event){
        // if we have no href url, then don't navigate anywhere.
        if (!element.attr('href')) {
          event.preventDefault();
        }
      });
    }
  }
});