In the context of computer systems, which of the following options best describes networking and gives a suitable example of how networking is used?

Introduction / Context:
The term networking is fundamental in information technology and appears in many exam questions. It is important to distinguish networking from other computer operations like upgrading hardware or managing local files. This question asks you to select the option that correctly defines networking in a computer context and gives a realistic example of how networking is used in practice.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- We are dealing with computer networking, not social or business networking.- The definition should mention connecting multiple devices.- A suitable example should involve sharing of data or resources across those devices.

Concept / Approach:
Computer networking refers to the practice of connecting two or more computers and related devices, such as printers and storage systems, using communication channels. The goal is to enable them to exchange data and share resources. Common examples include local area networks in offices where employees share files and printers, and wide area networks such as the Internet that connect many networks together. Activities like defragmenting a hard disk, installing RAM, or converting audio do not involve multiple computers communicating and therefore are not networking in this sense.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Examine option A, which states that networking is the interconnection of two or more computers and devices for sharing data and resources and gives file and printer sharing on a local area network as an example.Step 2: Recognise that this matches standard textbook definitions of computer networking.Step 3: Examine option B, which describes defragmenting a hard disk. This is a local maintenance task and does not involve connecting multiple computers.Step 4: Examine option C, which implies that networking is only wireless and only inside a single laptop. Networking can be wired or wireless and must involve communication between different devices.Step 5: Examine option D, which talks about installing RAM to increase processing power. This is a hardware upgrade but not a network activity.Step 6: Examine option E, which describes converting analog audio to digital, which is related to multimedia processing, not networking.Step 7: Conclude that only option A provides a correct definition and example of computer networking.

Verification / Alternative check:
Introductory networking textbooks define a computer network as a collection of interconnected autonomous computers that can communicate and share resources. Examples include file servers, print servers, email servers, and shared Internet connections. The phrase sharing files and printers over a local area network appears in many descriptions. None of the other options align with this formal understanding, confirming that option A is correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B is a storage maintenance activity on a single machine. Option C wrongly restricts networking to wireless and to internal connections inside one device. Option D describes increasing RAM, which affects performance but has nothing to do with interconnecting machines. Option E concerns audio conversion, which is a signal processing task, not a networking function.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners confuse any technical sounding activity with networking. It is important to remember that the defining feature of networking is communication between multiple devices. Another pitfall is to think that networking only refers to the Internet, but local networks are equally valid examples. Always look for mention of multiple computers, a communication medium, and sharing of resources or data when identifying a proper networking definition.

Final Answer:
Networking is best described as the interconnection of two or more computers and devices to share data and resources, for example file and printer sharing on a local area network, as in option A.