====== The Dollar Function ======
Have you ever used //document.getElementById('id')//? You know that one function that gets an Element from the DOM with an ID?
In MooTools, there is a shortcut for that very function, and it does something extra.
<code javascript>
var myElement = $('id');
</code>


===== Discussion =====
The dollar function, or //$//, is a shortcut to document.getElementById. It also adds methods to the element you call it on. (That doesn't mean much right now, but keep it in mind.)
  * A shortcut for //document.getElementById//.
  * Extends **Element(s)** to have the MooTools Element Methods.
  * Universal. The leading popular JavaScript Libraries, such as [[http://docs.jquery.com/Core/jQuery#expressioncontext|jQuery]] and [[http://www.prototypejs.org/api/utility#method-$|Prototype]] both use **$** for shortcuts to //document.getElementById//.

===== The Dollar Function Syntax =====
<code javascript>
/*
  The Dollar Function Syntax
*/
var myElement = $('title');
myElement.set('html', "Changed!");
</code>
The example above sets the html of the element with the ID of //title//.
The Syntax is very simple for this simple function. You can use it directly, or set a variable to it as in the syntax example.
In MooTools, you use this often when working with things that you know exist either by design or elements you made.
===== Documentation Sources =====
You can read the [[http://developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/DOM:document.getElementById|MDC for getElementById]].

You can also read the [[http://clientside.cnet.com/wiki/mootorial/03-native#section|Mootorial for $]].


Continue to [[The Dollars Function]]