Checkpointing is a process used in computing to save the state of a system at a specific point in time. This allows the system to resume from that point in case of a failure or crash, minimizing data loss. It is commonly used in long-running computations, such as those in supercomputing or cloud computing environments. In addition to saving system states, checkpointing can also help in managing resources more efficiently. By periodically saving progress, systems can free up resources and optimize performance. This technique is essential in various applications, including database management and distributed systems.