BitTorrent is a content distribution protocol
that enables efficient software distribution and peer-to-peer
sharing of very large files, such as entire movies and TV shows, by enabling users to serve as
network redistribution points.
BitTorrent's protocol has been described as a "swarming, scatter and gather" file transfer
protocol. Rather than having to send a download to each customer requesting it, the distributor or
holder of content sends it to one customer who, in turn, sends it to other customers. Clients share
pieces of the download back and forth until everyone has the complete download. This distribution
scheme makes it possible for the original server to handle many requests for large files without
requiring immense amounts of bandwidth.
Bram Cohen wrote BitTorrent in Python
and made it available in 2001. BitTorrent is distributed freely under an open
source license.
This was last updated in April 2009
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