What is a circuit board commonly used for?

A circuit board, commonly exemplified by a printed circuit board (PCB), primarily serves the function of connecting various components of a computer. This connection enables communication between essential parts such as the processor, memory, and input/output devices. The design and pathways etched onto the circuit board facilitate the flow of electrical signals between these components, ensuring that they can work together effectively to perform tasks.

While circuit boards can provide some power distribution and are involved in certain data storage functions, their primary role is to act as a platform that interconnects multiple elements of a computer system. Running software applications typically occurs at a higher level of abstraction, often handled by the operating system and software itself, which rely on the underlying hardware connections provided by the circuit board.