ffonly

ffonly is a term used in some digital software to denote a mode or setting that allows operations to proceed only in the forward direction. The term is not part of a formal standard and its exact meaning can vary between applications. In many media players and streaming interfaces, ffonly describes a forward-only playback or navigation mode. When enabled, the interface restricts seeking and backward navigation, sometimes blocking a reverse seek or treating backward seeks as a no-op. The rationale is to optimize performance and resource use on devices with limited processing power or to enforce a linear playback experience in time-limited media sessions.

In data-processing or logging pipelines, ffonly may refer to a mode where data flows in a single forward pass without reprocessing earlier segments. This can simplify state management and improve throughput, but it may complicate error recovery or require checkpointing. In software systems that model events or time-series data, ffonly helps ensure deterministic processing order and reduces the need for backtracking.

Implementation considerations for ffonly typically involve a simple flag or mode switch in the engine, with implications for buffering, seeking behavior, and cache invalidation. The trade-offs include reduced interactivity, potential limitations for users who expect bidirectional navigation, and compatibility challenges with components designed for reversible operations.

Examples of usage include command-line options or configuration fields labeled ffonly or forward_only. See also fast-forward, seek, forward playback, and forward-only.