.TORRENT File

A protocol for distributing files.

It identifies content by URL and is designed to integrate seamlessly with the Web. Its advantage over plain HTTP is that when multiple downloads of the same file happen concurrently, the downloaders upload to each other. What basically happens is that BitTorrent splits the file up among multiple nodes and the nodes then download the pieces from each other, reducing the bandwidth for the original poster. Of course, enough nodes containing the various pieces of the file must be connected to the Internet for the system to work.

In other words, a TORRENT file is simply a pointer file to the location of parts of the real file on the Internet. The Torrent client software puts your computer into a peer-to-peer network that then collects the various parts of the real file using the TORRENT file as a guide. Meanwhile, your computer serves as a server to collect parts of other files and forward them to others while you are connected.