kids encyclopedia robot

ISO image facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

An ISO image is a special type of archive file. Think of it like a perfect digital copy of a CD or DVD. It contains all the data from the disc, plus information about how the data is organized. This makes it easy to save or share the exact contents of a disc.

What is an ISO Image?

An ISO image is a single file that holds everything found on an optical disc, such as a CD, DVD, or Blu-ray. It's like taking a snapshot of the entire disc. This includes all the files, folders, and even the special file system that tells your computer how to read the disc.

How ISO Images Work

When you create an ISO image from a disc, your computer reads every bit of data from that disc. It then saves all this data into one large file with the `.iso` extension. This file is a complete, exact copy. You can then use this ISO file in a few ways:

  • Burning to a new disc: You can use software to "burn" the ISO image onto a blank CD or DVD. This creates a new disc that is identical to the original one.
  • Mounting as a virtual drive: Many operating systems and programs can "mount" an ISO image. This makes your computer think the ISO file is a real disc inserted into a drive, even though it's just a file on your hard drive. This is useful for installing software or playing games without needing the physical disc.
  • Extracting files: You can also use special software to open an ISO file and take out individual files or folders, just like you would with a regular ZIP file.

Why Are ISO Images Used?

ISO images are very useful for several reasons:

  • Software distribution: Many companies distribute their software, like operating systems or large programs, as ISO files. This is because an ISO ensures that all parts of the software, including bootable information, are kept together and installed correctly.
  • Backups: If you want to make an exact backup of a game disc, a movie DVD, or important software, an ISO image is a great way to do it. It preserves everything, including the disc's structure.
  • Virtual machines: People who use virtual machines often use ISO images to install operating systems or software inside their virtual environments. It's much easier than using a physical disc.
  • Sharing: ISO images allow people to share the exact contents of a disc over the internet. This is common for Linux distributions or other open-source software.

See also


kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
ISO image Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.