Meaning – Basic Input/Output System, or BIOS in short, is the program that the microprocessor on the computer runs to start the system, when you turn it on. The role of the BIOS is to act as a conduit between the OS and the hardware components such as the hard disk, video adapter, keyboard, mouse and printer, and ensure smooth operation between them all.
BIOS is also theoretically considered to be the intermediary between the the microprocessor and I/O device control information and data flow. However, there are some cases where the BIOS can arrange for the data to flow directly to memory, from the various devices.
The BIOS carries out the following tasks –
- Conducts the power ON self test before the actual boot.
- Bootstrap loader locates the OS.
- It locates the software and drivers that interface with the OS once it starts running.
Example of Usage – “BIOS comes included with computers, as firmware on a chip on the motherboard.”
