What is a PRAM reset and why did I have to do it ?

My very new (4 days) 20" Aluminium iMac was getting quite noisy, so much so that I called for support today.
The Apple tech explained how to do a 'P.RAM' reset, which in fairness does seem to have resolved the issue. (something to do with a FAN, I think).
I would like to know more about the causes of this, and why would I have to do it a such a new machine ?
Is there something wrong with my machine ? What are the chances I wil have to do this again ?
Thanks....

All, thank you for your time and valuable information. I am relieved that nothing is wrong with my system, but I must say that I find it is a little odd that a user has to do take these steps after making hardware or software changes to the system. I would expect this to be done as part of the install routines. Perhaps that is why other (you know who) systems need rebooting after most hardware or software changes.
I know Apple like to be seen as the machines where such things are not required, but clearly they are !
Thanks again.

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