ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Loader (computing)

A loader is like a helper that helps programs (which are the things that let you do stuff on a computer) get started. When you want to run a program, the computer needs to find it and get it ready to use. That's where the loader comes in!

Think of the loader as your mom or dad when you're getting ready to go outside and play. They help you find your shoes, put on your coat, and make sure you have everything you need to go outside. The loader helps the computer find the program, get it organized, and make sure everything is ready to go.

The loader does a few important things. First, it looks for the program you want to use on your computer. It looks in different places to find it, like a special folder where all the programs are stored. Once it finds the program, the loader puts it in the right place in your computer's memory so that the computer knows where to find it when you want to use it.

Next, the loader checks to make sure that the program is the right one for your computer. Just like your mom or dad would check to see if your shoes are the right size, the loader checks to see if the program is compatible with your computer. Sometimes programs are made specifically for certain types of computers, so the loader makes sure that everything matches up correctly.

Finally, the loader gets everything ready for you to use the program. It makes sure that all the little pieces of the program are organized and ready to go, like a puzzle that's been put together. Then, when you click on the program to start it, the loader makes sure that everything is in the right place and the program runs smoothly.

So, the loader is like a helper that helps programs get started on your computer. It finds the program, puts it in the right place, checks that it's the right program, and gets everything ready for you to use it. Just like your mom or dad helps you get ready to go outside and play!