Hot swapping is the process of replacing or adding components in a computer or electronic device without shutting down the system. This feature allows users to maintain system uptime and avoid interruptions, making it particularly useful in servers and critical applications. Common components that can be hot swapped include hard drives, power supplies, and network cards. Hot swapping relies on specific hardware and software support to ensure that the system recognizes the new component and integrates it seamlessly, minimizing the risk of data loss or system failure.