File Transfer

What Does File Transfer Mean?

File transfer is the process of copying or moving a file from one computer to another over a network or Internet connection. It enables sharing, transferring or transmitting a file or a logical data object between different users and/or computers both locally and remotely.

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Techopedia Explains File Transfer

A file transfer can be an upload or download. File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), BitTorrent and Simple File Transfer Protocol are the most common file transfer protocols used in computer networks and online.

There are two main types of file transfer:

  • Pull-Based: The file transfer request is initiated by the receiver.
  • Push Based: The file transfer request is initiated by the sender.

Moreover, other than network or Internet, file transfer can be performed manually by copying a file to a new folder/drive in the same computer or by copying it on a USB pen drive, CD or other portable storage device to be transferred to another computer.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…