U-Boot

U-Boot is an open-source software program known as a bootloader, which starts up devices like computers and embedded systems. When a device powers on, U-Boot initializes hardware components, performs basic diagnostics, and loads the operating system into memory. Think of it as the device's manager that prepares everything for the main system to run smoothly. It offers flexibility for developers to customize startup procedures, update firmware, or recover systems, making it essential for embedded devices and Linux-based systems.