Difference between $.post and $.ajax?

Question

Curious if anyone knows what the difference is in regards to the data parameter.

I have a $.post method that takes a $('#myform').serialize() as my data param and works.

If I try the same using the $.ajax() approach, it doesn't work as my data param doesn't appear correct.

Does anyone know the difference and what I might use instead of the above .serialize?

Answer 1

This jquery forum thread sums it up:

$.post is a shorthand way of using $.ajax for POST requests, so there isn't a great deal of difference between using the two - they are both made possible using the same underlying code. $.get works on a similar principle.

—addyosmani

In short, this:

$.post( "/ajax", {"data" : json })  

Is equivalent to the following:

$.ajax({    type: "POST",    url: "/ajax",    data: {"data": json}  });