---
title: DataContext
---

Provides access to hierarchical data and its associated ViewModel.


## Methods

### `parent`

{/* parent: (self: DataContext) -> DataContext? */}
<div class="signature">
```lua
parent() -> DataContext?
```
</div>

Returns the parent DataContext, if one exists.
```lua highlight={4}
function init(self: MyNode, context: Context): boolean
  local dc = context:dataContext()
  if dc then
     local parentDC = dc:parent()
     local vm = dc:viewModel()
  end

  return true
end
```


### `viewModel`

{/* viewModel: (self: DataContext) -> ViewModel? */}
<div class="signature">
```lua
viewModel() -> ViewModel?
```
</div>

Returns the ViewModel associated with this context.
```lua highlight={5}
function init(self: MyNode, context: Context): boolean
  local dc = context:dataContext()
  if dc then
     local parentDC = dc:parent()
     local vm = dc:viewModel()
  end

  return true
end
```