buffer store
A computer uses a buffer store to temporarily hold data before sending it to the printer.
Noun: 1. A temporary data storage area in a computer's memory (RAM): A "buffer store" is a reserved section of a computer's Random Access Memory (RAM) used to hold data temporarily while it is being moved from one place to another. Its primary function is to manage differences in speed between various components or processes within a computer system.
The term "buffer store" is used specifically in computing contexts to describe the function of a data buffer. It is often discussed in relation to data transfer, input/output operations, or streaming. * The printer driver uses a buffer store to hold the document data until the printer is ready to process it. * To ensure smooth video playback, the media player first fills a buffer store with several seconds of the stream. * The network card has a buffer store to handle incoming data packets when the CPU is busy.
- Buffering: The process of using a buffer store. When a video "buffers," it is filling the buffer store with data to prevent interruptions.
- The slow connection caused constant buffering during the movie.
- Buffer underrun/overflow: Errors that occur when a process reads data from an empty buffer store (underrun) or writes data to a full buffer store (overflow).
- The CD burn failed due to a buffer underrun.
- Buffer (noun): A more common and general term for "buffer store." In many contexts, "buffer" is used interchangeably.
- The data is held in a buffer before being written to the disk.
- Cache (noun): A type of buffer store that holds frequently accessed data for very fast retrieval, often closer to the processor (e.g., CPU cache).
- Spool (verb/noun): Similar to buffering, often used for print jobs. Data for a printer is sent to a spool (a buffer store) so the user's application is not tied up waiting for the slow print process.
- Data buffer
- I/O buffer
- Temporary storage (memory)
- Queue: A data structure often implemented using a buffer store, where items are processed in a First-In, First-Out (FIFO) order.
- Register: A very small, high-speed storage location within a processor, distinct from a RAM-based buffer store.
A computer uses a buffer store to temporarily hold data before sending it to the printer.
- (computer science) a part of RAM used for temporary storage of data that is waiting to be sent to a device; used to compensate for differences in the rate of flow of data between components of a computer system