title: period in jQuery function parameters
body: <p>What is the purpose of the period in front
  of the answer in parameter of the following 
  code?: </p>
  
  <pre><code>$jq(".answer-status").click( function() {
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>more complete:</p>
  
  <pre><code>$jq =jQuery.noConflict();
  $jq(document).ready( function() {
    $jq(".answer-status").click( function() {
      var answer_button = $jq(this);
      var answer_status  = $jq(this).attr("data-ques-status");
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>thank you.</p>