# Bounded Context

A bounded context is a concept from Domain-Driven Design that establishes boundary within a domain and contains models related to that context. The concepts, [entities](/content/domain-driven-design/bounded-context/entity/index.html), [value objects](/content/domain-driven-design/bounded-context/value-object/index.html), and [aggregates](/content/domain-driven-design/bounded-context/aggregate-pattern/index.html) within the bounded context are written using a [ubiquitous language](/content/domain-driven-design/bounded-context/ubiquitous-language/index.html). This language is also used in things such as documentation for the project and spoken throughout meetings on the project.

A domain may have multiple bounded contexts within its environment. Each bounded context may be maintained by a team. [Context Mapping](/content/domain-driven-design/bounded-context/context-mapping/index.html) is used to help explain the relationships between two bounded contexts as well as indicate the relationship needed between the teams that maintain those two contexts.

## eCommerce example of bounded contexts [Permalink for this section](/content/domain-driven-design/bounded-context/#ecommerce-example-of-bounded-contexts/index.html)

This is an example of a context map showing bounded contexts that may be in an eCommerce system and how they interact.

The bounded contexts include:

- Catalog
- Content Management
- Customer
- Fraud Detection
- Inventory Management
- Marketing
- Order
- Product Recommendation

```
Upstream/Downstream

Partnership

Nonrelated

Catalog

Order

Customer

Content Management

Product Recommendation

Marketing

Fraud Detection

Inventory Management
```

## References [Permalink for this section](/content/domain-driven-design/bounded-context/#references/index.html)

- [Domain analysis for microservices - Azure Architecture Center](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/microservices/model/domain-analysis)
- [Martin Fowler’s Bliki: BoundedContext](https://martinfowler.com/bliki/BoundedContext.html)
- [Bounded Contexts - Eric Evans - DDD Europe 2020](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am-HXycfalo)
- [DDD Reference - Domain Language](https://www.domainlanguage.com/ddd/reference/)

## Learn More [Permalink for this section](/content/domain-driven-design/bounded-context/#learn-more/index.html)

- [On-Demand Webinar: Intro to Domain-Driven Design with C#](https://mailchi.mp/nimblepros/af2112un73)
- [Email Course: Intro to DDD](https://mailchi.mp/nimblepros/intro-to-ddd-email-course)

[Anti-Corruption Layer](/content/domain-driven-design/anti-corruption-layer/ "Anti-Corruption Layer"/index.html) [Context Mapping](/content/domain-driven-design/context-mapping/ "Context Mapping"/index.html)