JS: Dollar Sign in JavaScript (jQuery)
Many JavaScript library use dollar sign $ as the name of their primary function.
The dollar sign is allowed character of identifier. [see Allowed Characters in Identifier]
This practice seems to have started with the Prototype JavaScript Framework “prototype.js”, then other libraries picked it up, in particular jQuery. [see jQuery Tutorial]
JavaScript spec 1999 suggests that the dollar sign should be used for generated code:
“The dollar sign ($) and the underscore (_) are permitted anywhere in an identifier. The dollar sign is intended for use only in mechanically generated code.”
However, JavaScript spec year 2011, no longer says that.
This standard specifies specific character additions: The dollar sign ($) and the underscore (_) are permitted anywhere in an IdentifierName.
ECMAScript 5.1 §7#sec-7.6
JS dollar sign use in prototype.js, ~2008
this article, was written in 2008. it discuss the dollar sign used by prototype.js.
- The Javascript Dollar Sign ($) Function
- By Chris Herdt
- https://osric.com/chris/accidental-developer/tag/prototype/
