Zero Copy
Zero Copy is a performance optimization technique in computer systems that eliminates unnecessary data copying between memory buffers during I/O operations, such as file transfers or network communication. It allows data to be transferred directly from a source buffer (e.g., disk or network) to a destination buffer (e.g., application memory or another device) without intermediate copies through the CPU or kernel space. This reduces CPU usage, memory bandwidth consumption, and latency, improving overall system efficiency.
Developers should learn and use Zero Copy in high-performance computing, networking, and data-intensive applications where minimizing overhead is critical, such as in web servers handling large file downloads, video streaming platforms, or database systems processing bulk data transfers. It is particularly valuable in scenarios with frequent I/O operations, as it can significantly boost throughput and reduce resource contention, making systems more scalable and responsive under heavy loads.