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Buffer vs Backup - What's the difference?

buffer | backup |

In computing|lang=en terms the difference between buffer and backup

is that buffer is (computing) to store data in memory temporarily while backup is (computing) that is intended as a backup.

As nouns the difference between buffer and backup

is that buffer is someone or something that buffs while backup is a reserve or substitute.

As adjectives the difference between buffer and backup

is that buffer is (buff) while backup is standby, reserve or extra.

As a verb buffer

is to use a buffer or buffers; to isolate or minimize the effects of one thing on another.

buffer

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • Someone or something that buffs.
  • (chemistry) A solution used to stabilize the pH (acidity) of a liquid.
  • (computing) A portion of memory set aside to store data, often before it is sent to an external device or as it is received from an external device.
  • (mechanical ) Anything used to maintain slack or isolate different objects.
  • (telecommunications) A routine or storage medium used to compensate for a difference in rate of flow of data, or time of occurrence of events, when transferring data from one device to another.
  • (rail) A device on trains and carriages designed to cushion the impact between them.
  • (rail) The metal barrier to help prevent trains from running off the end of the track.
  • An isolating circuit, often an amplifier, used to minimize the influence of a driven circuit on the driving circuit.
  • (politics, international relations) A buffer zone (such as a demilitarized zone) or a buffer state.
  • (colloquial) A good-humoured, slow-witted fellow, usually an elderly man.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1864-1865
    • , author=Charles Dickens , title=Our Mutual Friend , chapter=Book The First, chapter 2 "The Man from Somewhere" citation , passage=Lastly, the looking-glass reflects Boots and Brewer, and two other stuffed Buffers interposed between the rest of the company and possible accidents.}}
  • * {{quote-book, year=1864-1865
    • , author=Charles Dickens , title=Our Mutual Friend , chapter=Book The First, chapter 10 "A Marriage Contract" citation , passage=Here, too, are Boots and Brewer, and the two other Buffers; each Buffer with a flower in his button-hole, his hair curled, and his gloves buttoned on tight, apparently come prepared, if anything had happened to the bridegroom, to be married instantly.}}
  • (figurative) A gap that isolates or separates two things.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2011
    • , date=November 10 , author=Jeremy Wilson , title=England Under 21 5 Iceland Under 21 0: match report , work=Telegraph citation , page= , passage=An utterly emphatic 5-0 victory was ultimately capped by two wonder strikes in the last two minutes from Aston Villa midfielder Gary Gardner. Before that, England had utterly dominated to take another purposeful stride towards the 2013 European Championship in Israel. They have already established a five-point buffer at the top of Group Eight. }}

    Derived terms

    * direct buffer * non-direct buffer

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To use a buffer or buffers; to isolate or minimize the effects of one thing on another.
  • (computing) To store data in memory temporarily.

    • Adjective

    (head)
  • (buff)

    • Related terms

    * bufferize * buffer lass * buffer up * buffer zone

    Anagrams

    * ----

    backup

    English

    Alternative forms

    * back-up

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A reserve or substitute.
    • If the goalkeeper is injured, we have a backup .
  • (computing) A copy of a file or record, stored separately from the original, that can be used to recover the original if it is destroyed or damaged.
    • After the power failure, we had to restore the database from backup .
  • An accumulation of material that halts the flow or movement of something.
    • The blockage caused a backup in the plumbing.
  • (law enforcement) reinforcements
    • He's got a gun - you better send for backup .

    Synonyms

    * (reserve ): reserve, stand-in, spare, substitute * (computing: copy of a file or record ): * (accumulation of material that halts flow ): block, blockage

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Standby, reserve or extra.
    • I am only a backup player.
  • (computing) That is intended as a backup.
    • Make a backup copy of that file.

    Synonyms

    * (reserve) extra, reserve, spare, standby

    Usage notes

    Back-up'' is an alternative spelling of backup. Both spellings are used as either a noun or an adjective. The verb ''back up is always spelled as two words and never with a hyphen.