What is an X server in relation to a computer?

Question

I am wondering whether it is a kind of software that can be installed in a computer.

Answer 1

Yes.

X is a display protocol that acts as the groundwork for graphical user interfaces on operating systems like Unix and Linux. It pretty much works as the middleman between the input devices (keyboard, mouse) and the programs the computers are running (file browsers, web browsers).

If the above explanation completely confused you, that's all right, because X usually works hard in the background and the average Unix user doesn't have to pay any attention to it while using his computer.

Answer 2

Yes, an xserver allows you to run X-windows applications usually over x11.