Each operation has a context that contains the operation data. This data includes data from an external source such as a host or local database. Because the operation context is part of the context hierarchy, the operation can access data at the different levels in the context chain.

The link between an operation and its context can be statically set using a definition in an XML file or dynamically using the operation interface protocol. The context is statically chained to its parent in the context hierarchy using the operation's definition in an operation XML file or dynamically using the context interface protocol. The XML file can be the toolkit operation definition file or a self-defined operation file. Usually, the toolkit chains client operation contexts statically using definitions while the Java Connector chains server operation contexts dynamically when launching an operation requested by the client side.