ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Computer terminal

A computer terminal is like a talking toy that lets you ask questions and do things on a computer.

The computer is like a big brain that knows how to do lots of things, but it needs a way to communicate with people. That's where the terminal toy comes in.

You type your questions or commands into the terminal, and it sends them to the computer. The computer thinks about your request and sends back answers or tells the toy what to do.

The toy shows you the answers on a screen and might make noises or show lights to let you know what's happening.

It's like having a really smart friend who can help you do things on the computer, but only speaks "computer language." The terminal toy acts as a translator, making it easier for you to ask questions and give commands to the computer, even if you don't know how to speak its language.