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When set context unique to this notebook:

ClearAll @@ { $Context<>"*" } 

Clear["`*"]

can both clear the variables I assigned. I just wonder what's the difference between them? Are they interchangeable?

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  • $\begingroup$ An obvious difference is one uses ClearAll and the other uses Clear. Fixing that, can you give an example where one of these inputs gives a different result than the other? $\endgroup$
    – Jason B.
    Jan 17, 2019 at 1:46
  • $\begingroup$ It seems to me they always take the same effect in one notebook. $\endgroup$
    – Consideration
    Jan 17, 2019 at 2:10
  • $\begingroup$ Are you asking about Clear vs ClearAll or $Context<>"*" vs "`*"? $\endgroup$
    – Kuba ♦
    Jan 17, 2019 at 9:51

1 Answer 1

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Clear vs. ClearAll

Is answered here: Good clearing practices

$Context<>"*" vs. "`*":

99% of the time it is the same thing.

See tutorial/Contexts: "`name a symbol in the current context"

See also ref / ClearAll / Examples / Applications / 2nd example

So how can it be different? If it is defined and evaluated in a different context than the context of the moment of using it. Here is an example:

BeginPackage["MyContext`"]

ClearMe[] := ClearAll  @ clearSpec1;

clearSpec1 = $Context <> "*";
clearSpec2 = "`*";

EndPackage[]

Now, if you call ClearMe[] it will correctly clear MyContext`* even though the current context is probably Global`. Had clearSpec2 been used you would clear Global`.

Ok, pretty artificial example but you get the point.

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