title: When to use Vanilla JavaScript vs. jQuery?
body: <p>I have noticed while monitoring/attempting to answer common jQuery questions, that there are certain practices using javascript, instead of jQuery, that actually enable you to <em>write less and do</em> ... well the same amount.  And may also yield performance benefits.</p>
  
  <p>A specific example </p>
  
  <p><code>$(this)</code> vs <code>this</code></p>
  
  <p>Inside a click event referencing the clicked objects id</p>
  
  <p>jQuery</p>
  
  <pre><code>$(this).attr("id");
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Javascript</p>
  
  <pre><code>this.id;
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Are there any other common practices like this?  Where certain Javascript operations could be accomplished easier, without bringing jQuery into the mix.  Or is this a rare case? (of a jQuery "shortcut" actually requiring more code)</p>
  
  <p><strong>EDIT :</strong> While I appreciate the answers regarding jQuery vs. plain javascript performance, I am actually looking for much more quantitative answers.  <strong>While using jQuery</strong>, instances where one would actually be better off (readability/compactness) to use plain javascript instead of using <code>$()</code>.  In addition to the example I gave in my original question.</p>