Context -
         A context is defined as a named set of values that tailors
         the DECset tools to a specific software development
         activity (for example, fixing bugs or implementing
         enhancements). The supported attributes for which these
         values are supplied are: logical name definitions; symbol
         definitions; MMS macro definitions; MMS build options;
         linker options file specifications; library settings;
         a source directory specification; output directory
         specifications; and a default directory specification.

         Each context has a unique name within a particular context
         database (see Context Database). The length of the context
         name is limited to 16 characters.

    Context Database -
         A context is defined in a context database. This database
         is stored as a sequential ASCII text file. Each record of
         this file has the following format:

         context-name  file-spec  [parent-context]  ["description"]

         A context database entry must include a fully-qualified file
         specification (e.g.,DISK:[directory]file.DECSET_CONTEXT_DB).

    Context File -
         A context file is used to store information that is
         specific to a particular named context. The context file
         is specified by an OpenVMS file specification, which
         is stored in the context database entry (see Context
         Database) associated with the named context.
         The default context file type is .DECSET_CONTEXT.

         The context file is a sequential ASCII text file. In a
         context file, a continuation line must be terminated by a
         hyphen character. Trailing comments are not allowed on a
         continuation line.

    Context Including Inheritance -
         Any context may be based upon another context, which (in
         turn) may itself be based upon yet another context. A
         child context inherits information from its entire `chain'
         of parent contexts. The term context object refers to a
         context that includes all of this inherited information.

    DECset Environment Manager -
         The DECset Environment Manager provides a single mechanism
         for tailoring the execution environment for a set of
         DECset tools. The tailoring factor is known simply as
         a context.

         Using the DECwindows user interface, a context may be
         applied to all tools displaying on a particular DECwindows
         display.

    Parent/Child Context -
         A context that is based upon another context is said
         to be a child context. Each child context inherits all
         the information associated with its parent context. If
         the same attribute in both a child and its parent have
         different values, the child's value overrides that of the
         parent.