Comparators are devices or tools used to compare two or more items to determine their differences or similarities. They are commonly used in various fields, including engineering, manufacturing, and quality control, to ensure that products meet specific standards. Comparators can be mechanical or electronic, and they help in measuring dimensions, angles, or other characteristics of objects. In programming, comparators refer to functions or methods that compare two values or objects to establish their order or equality. For example, in the context of sorting algorithms, a comparator can determine how to arrange a list of numbers or strings based on specific criteria, such as ascending or descending order.