A data transfer protocol optimizes the transmission of data by sending only the differences between files rather than the entire file. This technique minimizes the amount of data that needs to be transmitted across a network, particularly beneficial when transferring large files over low-bandwidth connections. A practical instance involves updating documents or software applications. If only a small portion of a large file is altered, this technology only transmits the changed portion, significantly reducing transfer time and bandwidth consumption.
The importance of this method lies in its ability to improve efficiency in data synchronization, especially across wide area networks. Its benefits include reduced network congestion, faster data transfer speeds, and lower bandwidth costs. Historically, its development addressed the challenges of slow and unreliable network connections, becoming increasingly relevant with the growth of distributed computing and cloud-based services where frequent data synchronization is essential.
