Conclusion
It may seem daunting to think that you need to understand HTML5 and jQuery to use the jQuery Mobile framework. Thankfully, the framework is built in a way that supports developers with different skill levels. You don't necessarily need to know HTML5 and jQuery, as the framework provides a template for HTML5 that you can download directly from http://www.jquerymobile.com, and jQuery is only accessible to those developers who want to use it.
The only thing that's absolutely necessary is to understand how to use data- attributes, as they are the basis for adding any widget to a web page without using jQuery. Dialog windows, popups, and buttons are just a few of the widgets that use data- attributes. Visit http://www.jquerymobile.com to find a complete list with samples of how to use each in your next mobile application.