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What is a buffer?
#665 | 3:05 |
Tuesday April 20, 2010
Tutorials
Tuesday April 20, 2010
In chemistry, a buffer resists changes in pH. In geography, one country might be a buffer between two countries that are arguing. In
computer terms
a buffer is a little different. Michael "Doctor File Finder" Callahan describes thedefinition of a buffer
and how buffers can affect your digital life.Download this episode now
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Windows Media Show Notes
- In computer terms a buffer is an area of memory that holds data until the computer is ready for it.
- You have a keyboard buffer that can hold keystrokes until the computer is ready or able to display them.
- You'll often notice the keyboard buffer when a program that's been locked up unfreezes and all the keystrokes you've been pounding out in frustration suddenly appear.
- There's also a print buffer that holds data that's due to be printed.
- So called "print spooling" is really just buffering the text to be printed so the computer can do other things rather than wait for the printer to finish.
- Sometimes you'll see an error like "buffer overflow" or "buffer overrun." This is a programming problem where a buffer has exceeded its assigned space.
- Buffers are useful because they let work continue until the computer catches up.
- You have a keyboard buffer that can hold keystrokes until the computer is ready or able to display them.
- You'll often notice the keyboard buffer when a program that's been locked up unfreezes and all the keystrokes you've been pounding out in frustration suddenly appear.
- There's also a print buffer that holds data that's due to be printed.
- So called "print spooling" is really just buffering the text to be printed so the computer can do other things rather than wait for the printer to finish.
- Sometimes you'll see an error like "buffer overflow" or "buffer overrun." This is a programming problem where a buffer has exceeded its assigned space.
- Buffers are useful because they let work continue until the computer catches up.
Tagged:
buffer
,computer terms
,definitions
,glossary
,keyboard buffer
,memory
,printer buffer
,Windows
Comments (2)
Share Your Comments
By drfilefinder about three years ago
(2010-04-20 17:27:23)
(2010-04-20 17:27:23)
Well thanks Mary. hahahaha; I'm glad you like my talking keyboard buffer. :-) I do my best to keep it interesting. (chuckle) So, as you might have guessed, often if your computer is frozen, it's better NOT to pound on the keyboard. That buffer can fill up and cause a headache when the computer comes back to life. Thanks so much for your note.
....... Doc
By magicmary about three years ago
(2010-04-20 13:13:35)
(2010-04-20 13:13:35)
oh my God doc what a cool way to explain it. i never ever realized that that's why I'd get a burst of text when my pc unfroze. thanks so much and I really liked your talking keyboard buffer :) magic mary
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