Dollar sign in javascript methods

Question

Can someone explain the use of the dollar sign here.

var updateProgressDiv = $get('updateProgressDiv');

scroll down to functions. http://mattberseth.com/blog/2007/05/ajaxnet_example_using_an_updat.html

Answer 1

This is just part of the function name - $ is allowed in JavaScript identifiers, so ($ get) is the full name of the function.

Answer 2

This is an asp.net ajax shortcut:
$ get Shortcut Method
Provides a shortcut to the getElementById method of the Sys.UI.DomElement class. This member is static and can be called without instantiating the class.

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Answer 3

$get - jQuery . #.