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BitTorrent Basics & Terminology

What is a .torrent file?
Torrent files have a .torrent file extension and when opened initiate a download of the files contained in the torrent. It's required that you first have a BitTorrent client in order to download .torrent files. Torrent files contain meta-data and point to a torrent tracker server. The torrent trackers keep a live and up-to-date registry of all those downloading and/or seeding the corresponding files contained in the torrent.

What is a seed?
Seeds are torrent downloaders who have finished downloading the files but remain connected to the torrent allowing further distribution to continue. It's required for a torrent to function that it have at least one seed at all times.


What is a leech?
A leech, leecher or peer is the term used for those that are downloading the torrent. This term only applies while the downloader has less than 100% of the file(s) in the torrent. Once the leech has 100% and remains connected they then become a seed.


What is a torrent tracker?
A torrent tracker is a server program that's sole purpose is to track everyone that's downloading the same torrent. Every torrent file includes information about the tracker it belongs to and the files included in the torrent. Torrent trackers usually run as a service on webserver or other server with a dedicated internet connection.


What is a BitTorrent client?
A BitTorrent client is a program that reads the BitTorrent protocol and allows the download of torrent files by the user. This website offers downloads and reviews several of the most popular BitTorrent clients for Mac.


How exactly does BitTorrent work?
The BitTorrent protocol is very complex. However, in a nutshell once a user finds a torrent file that they are interested in downloading they must first open the torrent file using a BitTorrent client. Then the BitTorrent client will connect to the designated torrent tracker indicated in the torrent file itself. Once the BitTorrent client is connected to the tracker it will receive pieces of the files that are contained in the torrent. These pieces come from the various peers that are connected to the torrent and not any one source. This technology provides for optimum throughput.