RE: Beginner...
"Carbines" are shorter barreled versions of a rifle. A rifle will typically have a 22"-24" barrel. A carbine usually is 18"-20".
"Rimfire" refers to how the firing pin ignites the powder charge. With a rimfire cartridge, the firing pin strikes anywhere on the head and the bullet fires. 22 LR, L, S, 22 wmr, 17 hmr, 17 m2 are all examples of rimfire cartridges. "Centerfire" cartridges have a primer installed in the of the head and the brass can be reloaded several times. 223, 243, 30-06, etc are examples of centerfire rounds.
Good Questions, keep them coming.