Skip to Main Content
Idaho State University home

Glossary

Filter:
# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z All
B
B
B1
B2
B3
BBS
BCC
BCD
BCI
Bd
BER
Bit
BIU
BPI
BPS
BR
BSA
BSE
Bug
Bus
BW
Buffer
  • A routine or storage used to compensate for a difference in rate of flow of data, or time of occurrence of events, when transferring data from one device to another. (FP)
  • Section of RAM programs use to store information temporarily.
  • Note: Buffers are used for many purposes such as: (a) interconnecting two digital circuits operating at different rates, (b) holding data for use at a later time, (c) allowing timing corrections to be made on a data stream, (d) collecting binary data bits into groups that can then be operated on as a unit, (e) delaying the transit time of a signal in order to allow other operations to occur.
  • To allocate and schedule the use of buffers.
  • An isolating circuit used to prevent a driven circuit from influencing the driving circuit.
  • In an optical fiber cable, a component used to encapsulate an optical fiber, thus providing mechanical isolation and/or protection from physical damage. Note: Cable fabrication techniques vary, some resulting in firm contact between fiber and protective buffering, others resulting in a loose fit, permitting the fiber to slide in the buffer tube. Multiple buffer layers may be used for added fiber protection. See also data, elastic buffer, first-in first-out, optical fiber cable, queueing, queueing delay, queue traffic, variable length buffer.