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To start the computer is called Booting. Restarting the computer is (not surprisingly) called Rebooting.

This comes from the word 'bootstrap'. Which in turn, comes from the idea of pulling someone up by the bootstraps. A bootstrap program, is one that initiates other programs in sequence, in order to get the computer ready for use.

In early days of computer programming these sequences had to be started by an operator. Bootstrap code makes this chore automatic. The idea that one program starts another program, is like trying to lift yourself off the ground by your bootstraps. (Programmers have a sense of humor.)

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12y ago

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