Final answer:
The purpose of progress bars is to provide visual feedback and inform the user about the progress of a task on a computer. They help manage user expectations and reduce frustration by indicating how long they need to wait.
Step-by-step explanation:
The progress bars lets them know that the computer is working on a task and how much of the task has been completed. This can help manage user expectations and reduce frustration by giving them an indication of how long they need to wait.
For example, when a webpage is loading, a progress bar might show how much of the page has been loaded so far. As more of the page loads, the progress bar fills up until it is fully complete. This gives the user an idea of the loading progress and assures them that the page is still loading.
Progress bars are widely used in various applications and software to keep the user informed about the status of different processes, such as file downloads, software installations, or data transfers. They are a helpful user interface element that enhances the user experience by providing feedback and transparency.