Byte Streams
Byte streams are a fundamental concept in computer science and programming that represent a sequence of bytes (8-bit units of data) flowing from a source to a destination. They are used for input/output (I/O) operations, such as reading from or writing to files, network sockets, or memory buffers, providing a uniform way to handle binary data. This abstraction allows developers to work with data in a linear, sequential manner without needing to know the underlying details of the storage or transmission medium.
Developers should learn about byte streams when working with low-level I/O operations, file handling, network programming, or any scenario involving binary data processing, such as image manipulation, data serialization, or protocol implementation. Understanding byte streams is crucial for building efficient and reliable applications that interact with external resources, as it enables precise control over data flow and helps avoid common pitfalls like buffer overflows or encoding issues.