  We give, using an explicit expression obtained in [V. Jones, Ann. of Math.
126, 335 (1987)], a basic hypergeometric representation of the HOMFLY
polynomial of $(n,m)$ torus knots, and present a number of equivalent
expressions, all related by Heine's transformations. Using this result the
$(m,n)\leftrightarrow (n,m)$ symmetry and the leading polynomial at large $N$
are explicit. We show the latter to be the Wilson loop of 2d Yang-Mills theory
on the plane. In addition, after taking one winding to infinity, it becomes the
Wilson loop in the zero instanton sector of the 2d Yang-Mills theory, which is
known to give averages of Wilson loops in $\mathcal{N}$=4 SYM theory. We also
give, using matrix models, an interpretation of the HOMFLY polynomial and the
corresponding Jones-Rosso representation in terms of $q$-harmonic oscillators.
