What is ‘Context’ on Android?

Putting it simply:

As the name suggests, it’s the context of the current state of the application/object. It lets newly-created objects understand what has been going on. Typically you call it to get information regarding another part of your program (activity and package/application).

You can get the context by invoking getApplicationContext(), getContext(), getBaseContext() or this (when in a class that extends from Context, such as the Application, Activity, Service and IntentService classes).

Typical uses of context:

• Creating new objects: Creating new views, adapters, listeners: TextView tv = new TextView(getContext()); ListAdapter adapter = new SimpleCursorAdapter(getApplicationContext(), ...);
• Accessing standard common resources: Services like LAYOUT_INFLATER_SERVICE, SharedPreferences: context.getSystemService(LAYOUT_INFLATER_SERVICE) getApplicationContext().getSharedPreferences(*name*, *mode*);
• Accessing components implicitly: Regarding content providers, broadcasts, intent getApplicationContext().getContentResolver().query(uri, ...);