Definition: To direct or divert along a particular course.
Alright class, settle down, let’s take a look!
You’ve got a great question about “routing,” and the dictionary gives you a good start – "to direct or divert along a particular course." But let's break that down a little further, shall we?
Think of it like this: Imagine you’re giving directions to a friend. You wouldn’t just say “Go!” you’d tell them
exactly
where to go - "Turn left at the bakery, then right on Elm Street." That's routing! You’re
directing
their path.
Now, ‘routing’ can mean different things depending on what we’re talking about:
In travel:
It means figuring out the best way to get from one place to another – like a bus route or a train track. The vehicle is being
routed
along a specific path.
In computers (and this is where it gets really interesting):
Routing is how data packets are sent across a network, like the internet! Think of each packet as a little message needing to travel. The router figures out the best ‘route’ for that message to reach its destination – bouncing between different servers and networks until it arrives.
It's all about choosing the
best
path - the most efficient one - to get something where it needs to be.
Does that make sense? Do you have any questions about how routing works in different situations? Don’t hesitate to ask! 😊