javascript - What event does JQuery $function() fire on?

Question

We have a JQuery $(function() statement as:

<script type="text/javascript">
$(function(){
  //Code..
})
</script>

Dumb question - when exactly is this function executed? Is it when the entire HTML page has been downloaded by the client?

What is benefit of using the wrapping your code within $(function() as opposed to just doing:

<script type="text/javascript">
//Code..
</script>

Answer 1

It fires when the document has been parsed and is ready, and is the equivalent of $(document).ready(function () { }).

The obvious benefit is that having your script tag before other elements on the page means that your script can interact with them even though they're not available at parse time. If you run your script before elements have been parsed and the document is not ready, they will not be available for interaction.