title: Difference between $(this) and this in jquery
body: <p>What is the fundamental difference between using $(this) vs this</p>
  
  <pre><code>$('.viewComments').click(function(ev){
      //returns the desired value
      alert(this.getAttribute('id'));
  
      //Gives an error sayin function is not defined 
      alert($(this).getAttribute('id'));
  
      //returns the desired value
      alert($(this).attr('id'));
  });
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>What I thought was "$(this)" will contain all functions that "this" has and more..But that doesn't seem to be the case.</p>
  
  <p>So what exactly is $(this)? and </p>
  
  <p>Hw do I know what functions are available when I'm using it? (I know I can get them through firebug. but I would like to know if there any some other way- some doc may be)</p>