An _____ is used as a substitute for an actual disk, allowing users to run software without loading a CD or DVD.

An _____ is used as a substitute for an actual disk, allowing users to run software without loading a CD or DVD.

• A. ISO file
• B. ZIP archive
• C. DMG file
• D. Virtual disk

Answer: (A)

An ISO file is used as a substitute for an actual disk, allowing users to run software without loading a CD or DVD. An ISO image is a precise copy of a disc’s contents and structure, so you can mount it as a virtual drive in your operating system or burn it to a physical disc if needed. This makes distribution and installation convenient when you don’t have the physical disc. A ZIP archive, by contrast, is just a compressed collection of files and doesn’t replicate the disc’s full structure or bootable aspects. DMG files are Mac-specific disk images, relevant in macOS contexts but not as universal for running software from discs. A virtual disk is a broader term for a mounted or created drive, not a specific disc-image file type.

An ISO file is used as a substitute for an actual disk, allowing users to run software without loading a CD or DVD. An ISO image is a precise copy of a disc’s contents and structure, so you can mount it as a virtual drive in your operating system or burn it to a physical disc if needed. This makes distribution and installation convenient when you don’t have the physical disc. A ZIP archive, by contrast, is just a compressed collection of files and doesn’t replicate the disc’s full structure or bootable aspects. DMG files are Mac-specific disk images, relevant in macOS contexts but not as universal for running software from discs. A virtual disk is a broader term for a mounted or created drive, not a specific disc-image file type.