Oxidation number vs charge?

From what I understand:


\*oxidation numbers: are the "act" of electrons moving


while


\*charge: is what the atom "wants" to do with its electrons.


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Can anyone please clear up the distinction between the two and when its appropriate to use one, the other, or both at the same time?


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Is it that charge is only used for ions?




If an atom loses electrons, it develops a positive charge and becomes a cation. Likewise, if an atoms gains electrons, it develops a negative charge and becomes an anion.


"Charges only EXIST on IONS."


Covalent bonding rose the **oxidation number**.
We are aware that in a Covalent Bond sharing of electron takes place.
The more **electronegative** atom will take more bonding electrons and it will get a negative oxidation number (It depicts Anion).
Similarly less electronegative atom mimics a Cation.


In other words you can say Oxidation Numbers are ***fictional ionic charges***


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