Bindings

Bindings refer to the association of two or more entities, establishing a link, dependency, or contract that governs behavior or lifetime. The concept is widely used across disciplines, from science to computing. A binding typically implies that the bound entities affect each other in a defined way and that the relationship is recognized by a defined mechanism or protocol.

In computing, binding describes how names, values, and resources are connected. Name binding assigns a value or object to a symbolic identifier, with scope and lifetime determined by the language. Early binding occurs at compile time, late binding at run time. Data binding connects application data to user interface elements, so changes in one are reflected in the other. Language bindings are libraries that expose a software component in another programming language, enabling use of a library without reimplementing it.

Other binding concepts include event binding (linking events to handlers) and bound parameters in database queries, where placeholders are bound to concrete values. In networking and systems, binding may refer to binding an address and port to a process or to a network interface, enabling listening for connections.

In chemistry and biology, binding describes an interaction that holds molecules, atoms, or macromolecules together, often characterized by binding strength or affinity. Ligand binding and receptor binding are common terms, with affinities influencing biochemical pathways and pharmacology.