Specific 'boot file' definition

I have been given a general explanation of how a computer boots up. However a very loose definition to the term 'boot file' was given.

Could someone explain 'boot file' to me in a very simple but concise manner?

I have read about the POST, the clearing of registers, BIOS in the CMOS, etc. What I understand is that the boot file is different to the boot program. the boot program gets the system ready to accept an OS while the boot file contains some of the parameters by which the system will operate. The boot program is stored on ROM a开发者_运维知识库nd the boot file isnt?

cheers, jazz

It really depends on what they meant by "boot file".

First of all, there's the code in the first sector of the partition that locates the OS kernel, copies it into memory, and gets it running.

Then there's the file on disk that actually has the kernel code, including the stuff that controls the boot process once the boot sector stub has loaded it into memory.

Which one did you want to know about?