The setup is associated with the installation of a computer program or hardware.
Setup is an English term that is not part of the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) . It can be translated as configuration , organization or arrangement .
The concept is common in the field of computing . The setup is a tool for operating systems and computer programs that allows you to configure various options according to the user's needs.
Most programs have some type of setup, thanks to which the user can adapt the software to their hardware and configure everything related to the use they intend to give to the computer tool. Until the mid-90s, given the constant evolution of computers, which in a matter of months made a component until then considered state-of-the-art obsolete , configuring an application before using it was an essential step, and had to be done manually. .
The case of graphics and sound cards
At a time when having a graphics or sound card was a luxury that only a few could afford, it was essential to establish this information so that the program could take advantage of the available resources in the best possible way. The differences between the experience offered by a basic computer and one with specialized boards for image rendering and music processing were abysmal.
Even today, developers must face a potentially infinite number of combinations between the different pieces of hardware on the market; Although they usually establish a list of minimum requirements for the execution of an application, computers are characterized by offering a high degree of customization to their users, allowing them to modify the resolution (1920×1080, 1280×720, 1024×768) and the aspect ratio (16:9, 4:3), activate or deactivate certain graphic effects (shadows, reflections, particles), choose the type of sound technology (Dolby, LPCM) and the number of speakers to use (2.0, 5.1 , 7.1), as well as the location of the elements on the screen and the actions that each key will perform.
As a result of so many possibilities, it is impossible to ensure that the same application is displayed in the same way on all devices. Among the points at which execution differs are fluidity, which is measured in frames per second, the percentage of the program that is seen simultaneously on the screen, which is directly linked to the aspect ratio, and complexity and sharpness of the elements, especially if it is a video game with three-dimensional models.
Thanks to the setup, it is possible to configure a computer tool and adapt it to individual needs and possibilities.
General hardware setup
The hardware is configured through the setup that is present in its software and is usually included on a CD. However, it is very common for drivers (code that acts as an intermediary between the computer and each of its components, teaching it how to communicate with them) to be updated frequently, so it is more advisable to go to the manufacturers' website and download the most recent version, even ignoring the one included in the packaging.
Setup is also used synonymously with BIOS ( Basic Input-Output System ). This is the Basic Input-Output System , a software that recognizes the devices necessary to load the operating system into the computer 's ROM memory . The BIOS is installed on a chip on the motherboard.
It can be said that the basic configuration of a computer is found in the BIOS and, for that reason, it is also known as setup. This program checks the hardware, initializes the circuits, manipulates peripherals and devices at low level, and loads the boot system to initialize the operating system.
Another use of the term
Finally, we can find another use of the notion beyond computing: the Setup of the Year Award .
This award is given to recognize the best pitchers in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League .