What is the DOM?
Understand the Document Object Model in plain language — the tree that represents every web page — and why manipulating it is what jQuery does brilliantly.
What is the DOM? is a free jQuery Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 2 of 3. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the jQuery Academy learning path, one of 3 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
Meet the DOM
To use jQuery, it helps to know the DOM. Don't worry — it's a simple idea with a scary name. 😊
The page as a tree
The DOM is your web page turned into a tree of pieces — every heading, button, and image is a branch.
A family tree
Picture a family tree. 🌳 The page is the parent, and each element inside is a child. Things nest neatly.
Why it matters
The DOM is what your code talks to. Want to change a button? You reach into the DOM and grab it.
Elements everywhere
Each piece is called an element. A title, a paragraph, a link — all elements sitting in the tree.
Picking with selectors
To grab an element you use a selector — like an address that points to exactly the piece you want.
jQuery to the rescue
Here's the magic: jQuery makes finding DOM elements super easy. This grabs every paragraph at once.
$("p");Then change them
Once you've grabbed an element, you can change its text, color, or hide it — anything you like.
The bridge
So the DOM is the page, and jQuery is your easy way to reach in and play with it. A perfect pair! 🤝
Look at you go!
You now get the DOM AND how jQuery uses it. 🎉 Next: where this shows up in real websites.
Quick Check
Quick one! Think about what we just covered.
Frequently asked questions
Is the “What is the DOM?” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “What is the DOM?” is free to read here on the web, and the jQuery Academy course includes 3 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the jQuery Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “What is the DOM?”?
Understand the Document Object Model in plain language — the tree that represents every web page — and why manipulating it is what jQuery does brilliantly. You practise jQuery Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start jQuery Academy?
No prior experience is required. jQuery Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 2 of 3, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “What is the DOM?” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this jQuery Academy lesson?
Yes. Every jQuery Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- What is jQuery?
- What is the DOM?
- jQuery in the Real World