What does the `this` keyword refer to in JavaScript?

The this keyword in JavaScript refers to the object context of the function in which it is used. This means that when you are inside a function, this refers to the object that the function is a method of, or to the global object if the function is called in the global context.

In regular functions, this refers to the object that the function is associated with when it is invoked. For example, if a method is called on an object, this will refer to that specific object.

In the case of arrow functions, however, this does not refer to the surrounding object. Instead, it inherits the this value from the enclosing lexical context, which can sometimes lead to different behaviors compared to regular functions.

This characteristic of this makes it an important concept in understanding how object-oriented programming works in JavaScript, as this allows functions to interact with the objects they belong to. In different contexts, the value of this can vary significantly, which is a critical detail for writing effective JavaScript code.