Explain to me what dating is, please. I'm utterly confused.?

Okay. So. I've always thought dating was getting to know the person, and seeing if you'd like to make something more out of it, a relationship. BUT, a friend of mine posted a blog a while ago, explaining himself for the idiotic things he does in relationships, in attempt to be happy. He mentioned something about thinking dating with an intention to end eventually was stupid and pointless. Is dating an intention to end eventually? Or was I right the first time? Or are both of them wrong? Ugh. I'm confused. I, myself, didn't know I was dating a man I have liked for quite sometime now. But, I was having a phone conversation with him Saturday night, and the subject of him not hooking up with girls anymore, and why, came up. It turns out he would feel guilty, because we were dating. What the ****. My mind was spinning. We had only hung out twice, once at Down Town Disney, with friends, but we had alone time, and once at my house. He had told me those two were dates. Of course, I was happy and elated to know I was dating somebody I truly had feelings for. But, unfortunately, I was rolling that night, so I was kind of just taking it all in. We hung out the day after that too, and he told me that was date number three. So. Is this whole dating thing going to end with no intention of a relationship? Just to have fun for a while? Or is it leading to a relationship. Sorry for rambling. But, I would appreciate the advice and education <3