What is the $create function in ASP.NET AJAX?

Question

I'm familiar with $get() and $find(). But, I've just stumbled across some code I need to work on that calls a function $create(). I can't find anything online or in the code explaining it. The slightly modified call is here:

$create(namespace.aspnetclass, {id: 'foo', groupId: <%= groupId %>}, 
    null, null, $get('divContainer'));

What is $create() supposed to do? Right now, it is doing nothing.

Answer 1

$create is a shortcut for the Sys.Component.create() method that is part of the MS Ajax Library and is used to create components (often referred to as controls and behaviours)

$create(type, properties, events, references, element);