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

Taking the time to add some points of trivia to the already given answers

• :* usually means the same (:he cpo-star),

• hitting C-u in command line mode removes the range marker (actually, removes to the beginning of the line)