What is BFT?
| Binary File Transfer |
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The sending of a file over a link configured to expect any kind of data or bit patterns rather than just text. Technically, a binary connection allows all bit patterns in the data to flow through the connection and thus lets you exchange any type of files. A text setting, by contrast, may expect your files to include only 7 meaningful bits in each 8-bit character (which is all that is required to express standard text) and may therefore discard any information it finds in the 8th bit. Many older Internet services, such as File Transfer Protocol (FTP), were originally set up to expect only text files and so require special settings for binary transfers. However, more recent Internet additions such as gopher and the World Wide Web--take care of any limited pathways automatically, without requiring you to provide specific instructions. |
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