Buffering is a way of organizing exchange, namely the input and output of data in computing devices and computers. The buffer is used as a place to temporarily store data. During data entry, some devices write data to the buffer, while others read data from the buffer. When withdrawing, everything is exactly the opposite.
Where do we meet buffering?
Virtually all processes in the PC are linked to this process. It is not easy for an uninformed person to understand what buffering is. However, it is very easy to watch it: the same movie is downloaded online - data is buffered, the movie is loaded into the cache and played, although it is not on the computer.
This operation allows processes to perform data input and output independently of each other. Due to its usefulness, buffering is used in multifunctional operating systems.
Several of its types are used in computer graphics for input, output and image processing. Their implementationhappens in hardware or software.
An example of buffering in hardware is the modem's RAM, which is used to temporarily store received and sent files. An example of buffering in software is multitasking operating systems, in which, when entering data for printing, files are temporarily downloaded in the print queue.
Advanced PC users need to know what buffering is. In information technology, there is always superficial information and in-depth information. Having figured out what buffering is, you can go further and consider its types in more detail.
Double and triple buffering are known to exist. They will be discussed in the next subheading.
Triple buffering - what is it?
In computer graphics, this kind of process under discussion is a kind of double buffering. The difference is only in the method of displaying images. Triple allows you to avoid or reduce the number of artifacts. There are also differences between double and triple buffering in image output speed.
The triple buffering method is also synchronized with the screen refresh rate. The third buffer is used here as a method of providing free space for change requests in the total amount of rendered graphics. It acts as a kind of storage. The triple buffering method is more resource intensive but provides consistent frame rates.
Three buffers is not the limit. Howeverthere is no need for 4 or more places for temporary storage of downloaded files, only 3 of them will always work actively. Therefore, the best option is triple buffering.
Let's consider what buffering is in games?
Buffering is also used to transfer game images. In games, both double and triple are used. Double buffering is for weaker PCs and OSes, while triple buffering is for more powerful ones.
If you use triple buffering on a weak OS, the game may glitch. In other words, performance depends on what kind of process is used on your computer. Games are also different, with different requirements for PC and OS.
Choose the type of buffering is quite difficult, as game manufacturers create their offspring using a variety of methods. Therefore, on gaming forums, you can often hear about how a certain game does not work well with triple buffering, and vice versa.
Ideally, manufacturers should specify the system requirements of a particular game, its compatibility with various operating systems, buffering support, etc.
If the manufacturer has not given specific information about compatibility, you can check it yourself. In any case, only time is wasted, it will not bring any harm to the computer. The incompatibility can be noticed almost immediately, as it is reflected in the inhibition of graphic rendering and poor synchronization of the image with the sound.
About output buffering
Output buffering is enoughuseful thing. This function consists of stacking the entire output of the script, adding cookie headers and another resulting particular script to it. After the processing of information is completed, all data is sent to the client in reverse order, that is, first the headers, then the page and then the result of the script.
The Opportunities Opened by Output Buffering
- Sending a cookie from absolutely anywhere in the script.
- Session starts at any time.
- Compress data before sending it to the client.
Be aware that compression will require additional CPU resources. But the transfer speed will increase by 40% (depending on the number of pictures and text). It is known that pictures are compressed much worse than text. Output buffering is not enabled by default.
There are 2 methods to enable output buffering:
- Suitable for those who own the server itself or who have access to the php.ini file. All you need to do is find the output_buffering directive in this file and set it to On.
- The second way is to use ob_start() in the script whose output needs to be buffered.
So we figured out what buffering is.
