what is torrent

A torrent is a file that contains metadata about files and folders to be distributed, and usually also a list of the network locations of trackers, which are computers that help participants in the system find each other. In the context of the BitTorrent file distribution system, a torrent file acts as a table of contents that allows computers to find information through the use of a BitTorrent client. It enables the downloading of small parts of the original file from computers that have already downloaded it, allowing for the distribution of large files without overloading central servers. Torrenting is the act of downloading and uploading files through the BitTorrent network, which is a decentralized process that involves downloading files from other users devices on the network and uploading files from ones own device for others to download. Torrenting is particularly well-suited to the distribution of very large files and is a popular form of peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing.