Angularjs - Adding an attribute directive to a select clobbers ng-options -

i'm trying add attribute directive select using ng-options:

<select ng-model="item.subcategory" ng-options="subcategory.name subcategory.name subcategory in getsubcategories(item.category)" monitor></select> 

at moment, doesn't meaningful:

angular.module("monitor", []) .directive("monitor", function() {     var directive =     {         restrict: "a",         scope:         {         },         controller: function($scope)         {             console.log("i exist");         }     };      return directive; }); 

the directive seems working, see "i exist" per item uses directive, select loses options.

with directive in place, can see in html option select:

<option value="?" selected="selected"></option> 

as opposed this, when not using directive:

<option value="0" selected="selected">cats</option> <option value="1">dogs</option> 

why might directive breaking ng-options?

thank you.

there potentially several issues here, either of cause of problem.

according angularjs developer guide on directives:

if multiple directives on same element request new scope, 1 new scope created.

you creating new isolate scope on directive overriding scope other directives, including ng-options.

also, should keep in mind controller argument creates new controller shared other directives:

controller constructor function. controller instantiated before pre-linking phase , shared other directives (see require attribute). allows directives communicate each other , augment each other's behavior.

unless want use directive share data other directives, should avoid creating controller.

is there reason why directive can't accomplish needs in simple link function?