In Vim visual mode, why does the command start with '<,'>?

Question

When I pop into Vim\'s visual mode to, for example, indent a block of text, the command prompt always starts with \'<,\'>. Can someone break down for me w

Answer 1

'< is the first line visually selected, and '> is the last line visually selected. This is vim's way of making your command apply to only the visual area.