blockbased

Blockbased is a term used to describe systems and approaches that organize information and computation around discrete blocks. The exact meaning varies by context, but the common thread is reliance on fixed-size units as the fundamental building blocks for storage, processing, or composition.

In programming, block-based programming uses visual blocks that snap together to form programs. Tools such as Scratch and Blockly exemplify this model, which emphasizes accessibility and reduces syntax errors. Critics note limits on expressiveness for advanced tasks.

In data storage and backup, a block-based model stores data in fixed-size units called blocks. This enables block-level deduplication and efficient random access, but requires careful block size selection to balance throughput and latency.

In media and image processing, block-based methods operate on blocks of pixels or samples, enabling localized compression and parallel computation. Block-based motion estimation and transform coding are common in video codecs, where block granularity affects quality and performance.

In software architecture, block-based design emphasizes modular components or blocks with defined interfaces, fostering reuse and incremental development. The term is used in UI frameworks, data pipelines, and enterprise systems to describe modular, composable building blocks.