JQuery and 'this' object

Question

I have the following JQuery function being attached to the blur event of n textboxes on a webpage.

$(document).ready(function() {
        $(\"input[id$=\'_tx         


        

Answer 1

this = DOM element

$(this) = jQuery'ified

Typically I use plain old JavaScript where I can. The jQuery alternative in this instance is $(this).val() - I don't see the need for it.