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more about download
download |
3 definitions found From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: download v : transfer a file or program from a central computer to a smaller computer or to a computer at a remote location [ant: {upload}] From Jargon File (4.2.3, 23 NOV 2000) [jargon]: download vt To transfer data or (esp.) code from a far-away system (especially a larger `host' system) over a digital communications link to a nearby system (especially a smaller `client' system. Oppose {upload}. Historical use of these terms was at one time associated with transfers from large timesharing machines to PCs or peripherals (download) and vice-versa (upload). The modern usage relative to the speaker (rather than as an indicator of the size and role of the machines) evolved as machine categories lost most of their former functional importance. From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (13 Mar 01) [foldoc]: downloadTo transfer data or (especially) code from one computer to another. The distinction between downloading and uploading is hazy but downloading often refers to transfer from a larger host" system (especially a {server} or {mainframe}) to a smaller client" system, especially a {microcomputer} or specialised peripheral. Opposite: {upload}. However, note that ground-to-space communications has its own usage rule for this term. Space-to-earth transmission is always down" and the reverse up" regardless of the relative size of the computers involved. So far the in-space machines have invariably been smaller; thus the upload/download distinction has been reversed from its usual sense [{Jargon File}] (1994-12-07)
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