Define a network. What is the need of forming a network?

Q. Define a network. What is the need of forming a network?

Answer :-

A network is an interconnected collection of autonomous computers that can share and exchange information.

Major reasons that emphasize on the need of networks are :

(i) Resource Sharing:- Through a network, data, software and hardware resources can be shared irrespective of the physical location of the resources and the user.
(ii) Reliability:- A file can have its copies on two or more computers of the network, so if one of them is unavailable, the other copies could be used. That makes a network more reliable.
(iii) Reduced Costs:- Since resources can be shared, it greatly reduces the costs. (iv) Fast communication. With networks, it is possible to exchange information at very fast speeds.