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In computer science, binding refers to the creation of a simple reference to something which is larger and more complicated and used frequently. The simple reference can be used instead of having to repeat the larger thing.
Some common examples of binding are:
- Command binding in computer applications. For example, most applications on Mac OS bind the "Save" menu item to the Command-S keyboard shortcut, so that Command-S can be used to save a document instead of having to navigate to that menu item each time. The Emacs text editor binds the "save-buffers-kill-emacs" command to the Control-X Control-C keystrokes in sequence, so that the user does not have to type "save-buffers-kill-emacs" whenever he wants to save and quit. Often a computer application may allow the user to create a macro to do several common operations in sequence, and then bind a simple command to that macro to activate it.
- Control bindings in video games. A game might have a "shoot" control which can be bound to any available key. A game like Tribes with complicated in-game menus can bind specific sequences of keys as shortcuts to menu items.
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