Why does the JavaScript need to start with ";" ?
- by TK
I have recently noticed that a lot of JavaScript files on the web starts with ; immediately following the comment section.
For example, this jQuery plugin's code starts with
/**
 * jQuery.ScrollTo
 * Copyright (c) 2007-2008 Ariel Flesler - aflesler(at)gmail(dot)com | http://flesler.blogspot.com
 * Dual licensed under MIT and GPL.
 * Date: 9/11/2008                                      
 .... skipping several lines for brevity...
 *
 * @desc Scroll on both axes, to different values
 * @example $('div').scrollTo( { top: 300, left:'+=200' }, { axis:'xy', offset:-20 } );
 */
;(function( $ ){
Why does the file needs to start with ;? I see this convention on server-side JavaScript files as well.
What is an advantage and disadvantage of doing this?