what is an icon in computer

In computing, an icon is a small graphical representation of a program, feature, or file that is displayed on a computer screen to help the user navigate a computer system). When you click or double-click an icon, the associated file or program opens or an action is performed. Icons are a component of GUI (graphical user interface) operating systems, including Apple macOS X and Microsoft Windows. They help users quickly identify the type of file represented by the icon and provide a more appealing visual representation, which makes them more enjoyable to use than traditional text-based links. There are different types of icons, including system icons, shortcut icons, and program folder and document icons. Icons can also be used as links to other pages on the web.