Option vs. Selection — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 3, 2024
Option implies a choice or alternatives available, while selection refers to the act of choosing or picking from available options.
Difference Between Option and Selection
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An option generally denotes the availability of multiple choices within a set; whereas selection focuses on the act of choosing one or more of these available options.
Options may exist without any immediate decision required; on the other hand, selection implies that a decision is being made among these existing options.
In user interfaces, an option could be any choice presented to the user, such as in a dropdown menu; whereas the selection is what the user actually picks from those options.
Options can be theoretical and need not be acted upon immediately, whereas a selection is a definitive action that follows deliberation among the available options.
In programming, an option is typically an element that can be selected, while selection is the process or event triggered by choosing from these options.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A choice or possibilities available.
The act of choosing or picking.
Dependency
Does not require immediate decision.
Depends on options being available.
Usage in UI
Refers to all choices available.
Refers to the chosen option(s).
Implication
Theoretical possibility of choice.
Decision-making action.
In Programming
An element that can be chosen.
The process of choosing an element.
Compare with Definitions
Option
In finance, a contract for the right to buy or sell an asset.
He bought options in the stock market to hedge his investments.
Selection
Use of criteria to make a choice.
The jury's selection was based on originality and creativity.
Option
A choice included within a range of possibilities.
The menu had several vegetarian options.
Selection
The action or process of choosing from among options.
Her selection of a red dress was perfect for the evening.
Option
In computing, configurable settings available to users.
Adjust your privacy options in the settings menu.
Selection
The outcome of a selective process.
The final selection for the team will be announced tomorrow.
Option
Options in a test, multiple choices provided as answers.
Choose the correct option from the ones provided below.
Selection
A range of items that have been chosen.
The store offers a wide selection of organic fruits.
Option
Alternative decisions or courses of action.
For her vacation, Lara considered several travel options.
Selection
In biology, a natural process that results in the survival and reproductive success of some organisms.
Natural selection favors traits that improve survival.
Option
A thing that is or may be chosen
Choose the cheapest options for supplying energy
Selection
The act of selecting something
Looked at the pears and made a careful selection.
Option
Buy or sell an option on
His second script will have been optioned by the time you read this
Selection
One that is selected, such as a literary or musical text chosen for reading or performance
For her last selection she sang an old favorite.
Option
The act of choosing; choice
Her option was to quit school and start her own business.
Selection
A carefully chosen or representative collection of people or things
A book containing a selection of the author's best work.
Option
The power or freedom to choose
We have the option of driving or taking the train.
Selection
A range of things from which one can make a choice
A store with a wide selection of magazines.
Option
The right, usually obtained for a fee, to buy or sell an asset within a specified time at a set price.
Selection
(Biology) A natural or artificial process that involves the survival and reproduction of some kinds of organisms instead of others (because they have traits that are better adapted to the environment or that are preferred by a breeder, for example) and results in changes in the traits of a population or species.
Option
A contract or financial instrument granting such a right
A stock option.
Selection
The process or act of selecting.
The large number of good candidates made selection difficult.
Option
The right to make a movie adaptation of a literary work or play
A movie studio that purchased an option on a book.
Selection
Something selected.
Option
(Baseball) The right of a major-league team to transfer a player to a minor-league team while being able to recall the player within a specified period.
Selection
A variety of items taken from a larger collection.
I've brought a selection of fine cheeses to go with your wine.
Option
Something chosen or available as a choice.
Selection
A musical piece.
For my next selection, I'll play Happy Birthday in F-sharp minor.
Option
An item or feature that may be chosen to replace or enhance standard equipment, as in a car.
Selection
(databases) A set of data obtained from a database using a query.
Option
(Football) An offensive play in which a back, usually the quarterback, decides during the play whether to run with the ball, throw a pass, or make a lateral, depending on the actions of the defense.
Selection
(linguistics) The ability of predicates to determine the semantic content of their arguments. Wp
Option
To acquire or grant an option on
"had optioned for a film several short stories about two policemen" (Barbara Goldsmith).
Selection
(programming) A list of items on which user operations will take place. Wp
Option
(Baseball) To transfer (a major-league player) to a minor-league club on option.
Selection
(algebra) A unary operation that denotes a subset of a relation.
Option
One of a set of choices that can be made.
Selection
(historical) The free selection before survey of crown land in some Australian colonies under land legislation introduced in the 1860s. Wp
Option
The freedom or right to choose.
Selection
(biology) The stage of a genetic algorithm in which individual genomes are chosen from a population for later breeding. Wp
Option
A contract giving the holder the right to buy or sell an asset at a set strike price; can apply to financial market transactions, or to ordinary transactions for tangible assets such as a residence or automobile.
Selection
(biology) natural selection
Option
The acquiring or retention of a nationality through personal choice as a right, bypassing selective legal mechanisms for naturalization, especially in cases where a territory is transferred or passed on from one state to another.
Selection
The act of selecting, or the state of being selected; choice, by preference.
Option
To purchase an option on something.
The new novel was optioned by the film studio, but they'll probably never decide to make a movie from it.
Selection
That which is selected; a collection of things chosen; as, a choice selection of books.
Option
To configure, by setting an option.
Selection
The act of choosing or selecting;
Your choice of colors was unfortunate
You can take your pick
Option
The power of choosing; the right of choice or election; an alternative.
There is an option left to the United States of America, whether they will be respectable and prosperous, or contemptible and miserable, as a nation.
Selection
An assortment of things from which a choice can be made;
The store carried a large selection of shoes
Option
The exercise of the power of choice; choice.
Transplantation must proceed from the option of the people, else it sounds like an exile.
Selection
The person or thing chosen or selected;
He was my pick for mayor
Option
A wishing; a wish.
Selection
A natural process resulting in the evolution of organisms best adapted to the environment
Option
A right formerly belonging to an archbishop to select any one dignity or benefice in the gift of a suffragan bishop consecrated or confirmed by him, for bestowal by himself when next vacant; - annulled by Parliament in 1845.
Selection
A passage selected from a larger work;
He presented excerpts from William James' philosophical writings
Option
A stipulated privilege, given to a party in a time contract, of demanding its fulfillment on any day within a specified limit; also, the contract giving that privelege; as, an option to buy a stock at a given price; to exercise an option.
Option
The right to buy or sell property at an agreed price; the right is purchased and if it is not exercised by a stated date the money is forfeited
Option
One of a number of things from which only one can be chosen;
What option did I have?
There no other alternative
My only choice is to refuse
Option
The act of choosing or selecting;
Your choice of colors was unfortunate
You can take your pick
Common Curiosities
What does selection mean?
Selection refers to the process or act of choosing or picking from available options.
What is an option?
An option is a choice or alternative available within a set of possibilities.
Are options and selections relevant in programming?
Yes, in programming, options are potential choices or settings, while selections are the choices made by the user or program.
How do options and selections differ in user interfaces?
Options refer to all possible choices available in a user interface, while selection is the specific choice made by the user.
Can an option exist without selection?
Yes, options can exist theoretically without requiring an immediate selection.
What is the significance of selection in decision-making?
Selection is crucial as it reflects the final decision made after considering various options.
What is an example of options in a digital setting?
In digital settings, options could include user interface themes, language settings, or layout choices.
Is there a psychological aspect to selection?
Yes, psychological factors such as preferences, biases, and past experiences play a significant role in the selection process.
What role does selection play in evolutionary biology?
In evolutionary biology, selection refers to natural processes that favor certain traits over others for survival and reproduction.
How are options presented in a multiple-choice test?
Options in a multiple-choice test are presented as different answers from which the participant selects one.
How do options and selections relate to consumer behavior?
Consumers face various options when shopping, and their selections are influenced by preferences, price, and quality.
What does the selection process entail in a competitive setting?
In competitive settings, the selection process involves choosing the best candidates based on specific criteria.
How do options influence decision-making?
Options provide the scope of choices, influencing decision-making by presenting different possibilities.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
