Is there a jQuery function that returns the version of jQuery that is currently loaded?
You can use this:
$.fn.jquery
//or if you're using .noConflict():
jQuery.fn.jquery
It's updated automatically when jQuery is built, defined here: http://github.com/jquery/jquery/blob/master/src/core.js#L174
Make sure to use $.fn.property
for properties that don't depend on an object, no reason to create an unneeded jquery object with $().property
unless you intend to use it :)