What does the acronym BIOS stand for in computer terminology?

The acronym BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System. This term refers to the firmware that is built into personal computers and is responsible for performing hardware initialization during the booting process, and also provides runtime services for operating systems and programs.

When a computer is powered on, the BIOS is the first program that runs, performing checks and configuring hardware components like the processor, memory, and storage devices. It prepares the system to launch the operating system by identifying and initializing hardware components and essentially acting as a bridge between the hardware and the operating system.

Additionally, this initial program facilitates the loading of the operating system from a storage device into the computer’s memory, enabling the user to interact with the system and run applications. The use of "Basic Input Output" in the name indicates its fundamental role in handling the basic responsibilities of input and output operations necessary for the computer to function correctly from the moment it is powered on.