setting

Setting, in narrative arts, is the time and place in which the story occurs, together with the social milieu that frames it. It establishes context, influences characters' actions, and can symbolize themes. A setting typically includes three elements: time (historical period, season, or time of day), place (geographic location, environment), and social conditions (culture, class, norms). Settings can be real or fictional, contemporary or historical, and may function as a backdrop or as an active force shaping events.

Functions of setting include anchoring plausibility, shaping mood, determining possible conflicts, and guiding narrative pace. Techniques used to convey setting include description, scene structuring, and integration with plot developments. Settings can be stable or dynamic, changing over the story to reflect character development or plot progression. Some works foreground setting as a central element, while others employ it subtly.

In technology and everyday use, settings refer to configurable options that customize how a device or program operates. Settings can be stored locally in files, in a registry, or in cloud-based profiles. They are categorized as user settings, which reflect individual preferences, and system or global settings, which apply to all users. Common examples include language, display preferences, privacy options, and functional parameters such as network configurations. Settings may be defaulted by the software and altered by the user or administrator.