Many of us in everyday life are confronted with the concept of "synchronization." This is what it is, and why it is needed at all, now it will be considered. Looking ahead, it can be noted that almost all people know about this term, unless they justify it from a scientific point of view and do not delve into the essence of the issue. For a more accurate understanding, we turn to computer and mobile technology.
Sync: what is it?
First, we give a brief scientific justification. If we consider modern computers or mobile devices, synchronization can be understood as a set of algorithms that allow you to store certain information objects in the same state on different devices and at different time intervals even if they change in the same source.
If at least one of them is subject to change, it affects all other related data. On the other hand, synchronization can be called the display or use of the same data on different devices at the time of communication between them.
If you look at the scope of such tools, in IT-technologies you can distinguish several main aspects:
- backup;
- synchronization of accounts when connected to the Internet;
- device synchronization among themselves;
- multiplayer games and applications.
Basic types of synchronization
However, not only in computer systems can meet the term "synchronization". What is production? Yes, the same thing, for example, when several machines are involved in the technological process, which must perform a predetermined sequence of operations at strictly defined time points. But back to computers and mobile devices.
In general, in the implementation of all these processes there are two main types of applied synchronization algorithms: one-way and two-way.
The first type involves checking data on two devices, one of which is the main one, and the second is a slave (for example, synchronization of Google services with a smartphone, where the server is the priority device, and the phone on which the application is installed acts as a slave). In this case, changing the parameters of the same account or the backup being created, provided they are stored on the server, allows you to use the data on all devices with the same application (for example, when replacing the smartphone with another model and entering the service using the old login).
During two-way synchronization, several criteria are used that determine the priority device, however, the user can decide for himself on which one the information will be changed. Accordingly, the data will be changed on another device. For smartphones or tablets, this can be synchronization with a PC, and it does not matter where the changes are made.
Mobile data sync
On mobile devices, synchronization is presented in several variations. Firstly, this is due to the accounts (accounts) used to log into some applications or Internet services.
The simplest example is the synchronization of an account on Android devices when entering Google Play. Notice, it happens automatically at the time of establishing a connection.
Secondly, if data backup is enabled in the system when a copy is stored in the cloud storage on a remote server, applications, contacts and any other settings can be restored using a registered account on another mobile device.
Synchronization between devices
The synchronization phenomenon can also be encountered when connecting a smartphone to a computer via a USB port, using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
You do not need to install special applications to modify objects stored on internal and external media. For operations with files and folders, the usual Windows Explorer or any other file manager is suitable.
If you want to gain control over the settings or provide access to the contact list, you will need some kind of synchronization program (Samsung Kies, Sony PC Companion, MyPhoneExplorer, Nokia PC Suite, iTunes and others).
Backup
Now one more look at the term “synchronization”. What is backup in terms of ? In fact, this also implies the process of simultaneously changing data with subsequent storage. But there can be two options. For example, on a computer, a copy can be stored in a specially allocated disk partition, or it can also use "cloud" storage.
That in the first, that in the second case, synchronization occurs simultaneously, but for using the “cloud” the main condition is the availability of an uninterrupted Internet connection, and when saving a backup copy on the hard drive, additional disk space is used. However, what exactly to prefer, everyone decides for himself.
In any case, you can back up using the system tools and using special programs. However, in order to obtain a simultaneous change in the data, it will be necessary to select the appropriate criteria (for example, the creation of dynamic partitions to increase the volume with a lack of space). In this regard, “cloud” technologies look more attractive, however, for such storages quite often limits are set for the use of free disk space without payment.
Why do I need to set up synchronization in multiplayer games and applications
Finally, another aspect. It is no secret that modern computer games allow the use of team modes. Remember at least the first championships in Counter Strike or Quake.
Here, synchronization occurs between several terminals, behind which there are players of opposing teams. In addition, here you can track not only the synchronization of actions in the game itself, but also the relationship between the players. Thanks to the emergence of specialized software products like TeamViewer, players were able to organize their actions through orders or coordination of movement.
And here we are not talking, say, about creating and demonstrating presentations when remote access is required, or banking operations.
Conclusion
It remains to add that these are far from all situations in which one can encounter a manifestation of synchronization processes. Only the main aspects related to computer technologies were considered here, and the very concept of this process is much broader. And in general, even in the organization of public life or sports, such technologies are used every day, but most of us simply do not pay attention to them, although we know about such a phenomenon.