The acronym “BIOS” stands for Basic Input/Output System. It is firmware built into a computer’s motherboard that initializes hardware components during the boot process before loading the operating system. BIOS performs several crucial functions, including hardware diagnostics, configuration settings for system components, and providing an interface for peripheral devices. Traditionally, it has been replaced with UEFI in modern systems, which offers advanced features like faster boot times and better security options, but the core functionalities of BIOS still remain foundational.