The $() function is an alias of jQuery() function, at first it looks weird and makes jQuery CODE cryptic, but once you GET used to it, you will love it's BREVITY. $() function is used to wrap any object into jQuery object, which then allows you to call various method defined jQuery object. You can even pass a selector string to $() function, and it will RETURN jQuery object CONTAINING an array of all matched DOM elements. I have seen this jQuery asked several times, despite it's quite basic, it is used to differentiate between developer who knows jQuery or not.

The $() function is an alias of jQuery() function, at first it looks weird and makes jQuery code cryptic, but once you get used to it, you will love it's brevity. $() function is used to wrap any object into jQuery object, which then allows you to call various method defined jQuery object. You can even pass a selector string to $() function, and it will return jQuery object containing an array of all matched DOM elements. I have seen this jQuery asked several times, despite it's quite basic, it is used to differentiate between developer who knows jQuery or not.