A switching regulator is a type of power supply that efficiently converts electrical energy from one voltage level to another. Unlike linear regulators, which dissipate excess voltage as heat, switching regulators use a high-frequency switching element to control the output voltage. This method allows them to achieve higher efficiency, making them ideal for battery-powered devices and applications requiring minimal energy loss. These regulators can be classified into different types, such as buck converters, which step down voltage, and boost converters, which step up voltage. They are widely used in various electronic devices, including computers, smartphones, and LED lighting, due to their compact size and energy efficiency.