A callback is a function passed as an argument to another function to be executed later within that outer function. It essentially allows one function to call another function to perform certain actions when a specific condition is met or an event occurs.
Callbacks are prevalent in programming, especially in languages that treat functions as first-class citizens, allowing functions to be passed as arguments to other functions.
They are often used in event handling systems, such as web development or working with user interfaces. A common example is the use of callbacks in JavaScript to respond to user interactions on a webpage, like when a button is clicked or when a resource has finished loading.