jQuery uses a built-in function called jQuery()
to allow developers to programmatically select elements on a html page
$()
is shorthand for jQuery()
// programmatically "select" all p tags on the page using jQuery() syntax
jQuery('p')
// programmatically "select" all p tags on the page using the $() shorthand syntax; most widely used approach
$('p')
Example
// Use jQuery to "select" an element with an id of main and listen for a click event
$("#main").click(doSomething)