Context (computing)

"Context" in computing means the background information about something that helps the computer understand what it is supposed to do next. Think of context like a clue that helps you solve a puzzle.

For example, let's say you are sitting at your computer and you want to send an email. Before you hit the "send" button, your computer needs to know some important information such as who the email is for, what the email is about, and who it is coming from. This information helps your computer understand the context of the email, or the bigger picture about what you are trying to do.

Another example could be using a voice-controlled virtual assistant like Siri or Alexa. These digital helpers rely on context to understand what you are asking. If you simply say "turn on the lights," they might not know which lights to turn on or in which room. However, if you say "turn on the lights in the living room," they will have the context they need to carry out your command correctly.

So, context is like a set of clues or information that tells the computer what you want it to do, and helps it do it correctly. Without context, the computer might not be able to understand what you are trying to do or get confused about what it's supposed to do next.