Can you purchase a boarding pass online?

So I've never travelled on a plane before, so I have a few questions. This is for a domestic flight.
What's the difference between a ticket and a boarding pass? Can you purchase both online? If so, once at the airport, do you go directly to the terminal? What about luggage, security? Many thanks.

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JoyfulSilence · 46-50, M

What I usually do is reserve and pay for my flight online with a credit card, and print out my itinerary. Yet they also e-mail it to me, too. I think they can text it, too. I never actually get a ticket like I used to decades ago. It is not needed. You do not really need to print anything out. Especially if you have the e-mail or a text on your phone. Yet that is just for you, so you know what you bought and when and where to go. They do not need it. It is all on their computers, anyway. I also choose my seats online. I prefer aisle seats.

When I go to the airport I go to the bag check-in location (right when you enter) to check my bag (which they take and put in the cargo hold of the plane). I also pay the bag fee (some do not have it, and those that do charge around $25 a bag, each way). I also pick up my boarding pass. All I have to do is insert my credit card into their machine (looks like an ATM) and it asks questions and allows me to pay the bag fee. Then, it prints my boarding pass.

The boarding pass is needed to show to to the agent right there when they take my bag. They also ask for photo ID to verify it is me. Then, I go to the TSA security checkpoint (give yourself plenty of time since often the wait is long). They look at your boarding pass and check your photo ID. After getting through security, then I go to the gate. I usually try to get there really early. I'd rather wait at the gate calmly, than worry about being late as I wait in the security line earlier. The boarding pass is needed one last time to board the plane at the gate. They do not check ID's again, though. They do not even look at the pass that much, they just read its bar code with a scanner.

Everything usually goes smoothly. And if you give yourself plenty of time that cuts down on anxiety. Just be calm, take it slow. Ask questions if you need to. The most annoying thing is having to wait in line in several steps of the process, and take your shoes off at security. But it is what it is.

Oh then there is the overbooking and weather delays. Ugh.