In order to understand what localhost is, let’s breakdown the word “localhost” into its parts “local” and “host”.
“Local” indicates something within your vicinity.
“Host” means somebody who is providing a space to stay there (at least in the present context)
Now let’s combine the two parts of the word localhost back into one. The meaning comes out to be some local person or thing who provides you with some space for any particular purpose.
Now let’s talk about localhost in the context of computer science. Lets’ say you want to create a website. You need some space to place the contents of your website. The content may include text, images, videos, or any other type of file required by your website. Your computer provides this space. In short, “localhost” means “your personal computer” or “any other computer present within your vicinity,” which gives you the space for the contents of your website. Using the host analogy, localhost means your computer is hosting your website (or anyone else’s site for that matter. Hosting providers do this regularly using computers called servers). In this example, we are using a website and its contents as an example. Localhost (your computer) can be used to store aka host any software, e.g., a mobile app, a desktop app, a web app, etc.
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