$(this) vs. this: When to Use Each in jQuery?

Understanding the Difference Between "$(this)" and "this" in jQuery

When working with jQuery, you'll frequently encounter two terms: "$(this)" and "this." While both refer to the current element in focus, there are subtle differences between their usage.

When to Use "$(this)"

As you rightly guessed, "$(this)" is primarily used when you want to take advantage of jQuery's extensive functionality, particularly those functions specific to the jQuery framework. By wrapping an element in "$(this)," you convert it into a jQuery object that can access the full range of jQuery methods, such as "append()."

When to Use "this"

On the other hand, you can use "this" directly when a native JavaScript or DOM function (not specific to jQuery) can be applied to the element. For instance, in the second example you provided, resetting the form can be achieved using the "reset()" method, which is a native DOM function. Therefore, you can use "this" directly as the form is not a jQuery object.

A Closer Look at the Difference

To illustrate this further, consider the following code snippet:

$(this)[0] === this

This expression evaluates to true, indicating that the native element ("this") is the same as the first element of the jQuery object ("$(this)"). This is because jQuery creates a list-like object representing the matched elements, with the first element being the actual DOM node.

Similarly:

$("#myDiv")[0] === document.getElementById("myDiv")

This expression is also true, highlighting that the DOM element embedded in the jQuery object ("#myDiv") is the same as its corresponding DOM node obtained via JavaScript's "getElementById()."

In summary, use "$(this)" when working with jQuery-specific functions and use "this" directly when dealing with native JavaScript or DOM functionalities. By adhering to this rule, you can harness the full power of jQuery and efficiently combine it with native JavaScript capabilities.

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