BitTorrent
BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing protocol designed for distributing large amounts of data efficiently over the internet. It breaks files into smaller pieces, allowing users to download from multiple sources simultaneously and upload pieces to others while downloading, which reduces load on any single server. It's widely used for sharing large files like software, media, and datasets.
Developers should learn BitTorrent when building applications that require efficient, decentralized file distribution, such as content delivery networks, software updates, or media streaming platforms. It's particularly useful for reducing bandwidth costs and improving download speeds in scenarios with many users accessing the same large files, like open-source software distributions or video game patches.