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Q: What is a "Buffer"?
A:
A buffer is basically an area of memory that a hardware device or software program uses when it needs a constant, uninterrupted flow of information.
For example, if you ever listened to any kind of streaming audio, the program you use probably "buffers" the signal a little before the music starts to play.
Here's how it works. Your audio program "collects" a few seconds of audio, then starts playing them. If there is a split second interruption, you don't notice it since the audio you're listing to is already a couple seconds old. Since you're not listing to the audio at the same instant it comes in, it gives the program a few seconds to compensate for any slight interruptions (and there are lots of those). It doesn't always work if the connection isn't good, but it does help.
A:
A buffer is basically an area of memory that a hardware device or software program uses when it needs a constant, uninterrupted flow of information.
For example, if you ever listened to any kind of streaming audio, the program you use probably "buffers" the signal a little before the music starts to play.
Here's how it works. Your audio program "collects" a few seconds of audio, then starts playing them. If there is a split second interruption, you don't notice it since the audio you're listing to is already a couple seconds old. Since you're not listing to the audio at the same instant it comes in, it gives the program a few seconds to compensate for any slight interruptions (and there are lots of those). It doesn't always work if the connection isn't good, but it does help.
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