BUFFER

A buffer is a region of memory or a temporary holding area used to store data while it is moving between components or being processed at different speeds. Buffers smooth out timing differences, absorb data bursts, and decouple subsystems. They can be implemented in hardware, software, or both.

In computing, buffers appear in input/output devices, network interfaces, storage subsystems, and streaming applications. Common forms include byte buffers and circular (ring) buffers. Buffers provide a staging area to decouple producers and consumers, enabling asynchronous operation. They incur memory usage and may introduce latency or risk of overflow if not managed carefully.

In electronics, a buffer often denotes a buffer amplifier or voltage follower that presents a high input impedance and low output impedance, isolating stages and preventing signal loading. Buffers can restore signal levels, drive multiple loads, or convert impedance without significantly changing the signal.

In chemistry, a buffer solution resists pH changes upon addition of acid or base. This stability comes from a conjugate acid–base pair in equilibrium. The pH is described by the Henderson–Hasselbalch equation, with common examples such as acetic acid/acetate and carbonic acid/bicarbonate in blood.

Related topics include caching, queuing, and jitter management in networks. Buffer design involves choosing size and policy to balance latency, throughput, and memory use based on expected variation in data flow.