1.js

// **This example illustrates the declaration and instantiation of a minimalist View.**
//
// _Working example: [1.html](../1.html)._  
// _[Go to Example 2](2.html)_

// jQuery's document-ready function
$(function(){
  // **ListView class**: Our main app view.
  var ListView = Backbone.View.extend({    
    el: $('body'), // attaches `this.el` to an existing element.
    // `initialize()`: Automatically called upon instantiation. Where you make all types of bindings, _excluding_ UI events, such as clicks, etc.
    initialize: function(){
      _.bindAll(this, 'render'); // fixes loss of context for 'this' within methods
       
       this.render(); // not all views are self-rendering. This one is.
    },
    // `render()`: Function in charge of rendering the entire view in `this.el`. Needs to be manually called by the user.
    render: function(){
      $(this.el).append("<ul> <li>hello world</li> </ul>");
    }
  });

  // **listView instance**: Instantiate main app view.
  var listView = new ListView();      
});