What's the difference between '$(this)' and 'this'?

Question

I am currently working through this tutorial: Getting Started with jQuery

For the two examples below:

$(\"#orderedlist\").find(\"li\").each(function          


        

Answer 1

When using jQuery, it is advised to use $(this) usually. But if you know (you should learn and know) the difference, sometimes it is more convenient and quicker to use just this. For instance:

$(".myCheckboxes").change(function(){ 
    if(this.checked) 
       alert("checked"); 
});

is easier and purer than

$(".myCheckboxes").change(function(){ 
      if($(this).is(":checked")) 
         alert("checked"); 
});