Boot Definition

Boot – a mechanism that allows the starting of execution of instructions on a computer. PC, in particular, has built-in instructions in ROM or flash memory chips, automatically executed at the start. The given instructions search for the operating system, load it, and transfer control to it. Booting a computer these days means to switch it on or click “Restart”. In the dawn of computerization, booting was pressing a few buttons on the console.

A computer reboot is also called a restart, either of the “hard” type, when the CPU power is cycled from off to on, or “soft”, when the power is not removed. In some systems, a soft boot may additionally force hardware reset, resetting the mainboard or controlling power to RAM. Hardware or software boot may be initiated by a button press or a software command. Booting is complete when the runtime system, usually comprising an operating system with some applications, becomes operational. Basically, booting is the process through which the computer system goes in order to ensure that the hardware is okay in terms of functioning and that whatever software required is available and can be loaded.