Load
1. To copy
data (often
program code to be
run) into
memory, possibly
parsing it somehow in the process. E.g. "
WordPerfect can't load this
RTF file - are you sure it didn't get corrupted in the
download?"
Opposite of
save.
2. The degree to which a computer,
network, or other resource is used, sometimes expressed as a percentage of the maximum available.
E.g. "What kind of CPU load does that program give?", "The network's constantly running at 100% load".
Sometimes used, by extension, to mean "to increase the level of use of a resource".
E.g. "Loading a spreadsheet really loads the CPU".
See also:
load balancing.
3. To install a piece of
software onto a system. E.g. "The computer guy is gonna come load Excel on my laptop for me".
This usage is widely considered to be incorrect.
