Optical computing is a technology that uses light-based systems instead of electronic systems to process data. Synonyms for optical computing include photonic computing, light-based computing, and photonics. These terms all refer to the same concept of using light instead of electricity to carry information and perform calculations. Other related terms include optoelectronics, which combines both optical and electronic principles, and quantum computing, which uses subatomic particles to store and process data. Optical computing has the potential to revolutionize the speed and efficiency of computing, making it ideal for complex tasks such as data analysis and scientific simulations.