Download

3 definitions found

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  download
       v : transfer a file or program from a central computer to a
           smaller computer or to a computer at a remote location
           [ant: {upload}]

From Jargon File (4.3.1, 29 Jun 2001) [jargon]:



  download vt. To transfer data or (esp.) code from a far-away system
     (especially a larger `host' system) over a digital communications link
     to a nearby system (especially a smaller `client' system. Oppose
     {upload}.
  
     Historical use of these terms was at one time associated with
     transfers from large timesharing machines to PCs or peripherals
     (download) and vice-versa (upload). The modern usage relative to the
     speaker (rather than as an indicator of the size and role of the
     machines) evolved as machine categories lost most of their former
     functional importance.
  
  

From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03) [foldoc]:

  download
       
           To transfer data or (especially) code from one
          computer to another.  The distinction between downloading and
          uploading is hazy but downloading often refers to transfer
          from a larger "host" system (especially a {server} or
          {mainframe}) to a smaller "client" system, especially a
          {microcomputer} or specialised peripheral.
       
          Opposite: {upload}.
       
          However, note that ground-to-space communications has its own
          usage rule for this term.  Space-to-earth transmission is
          always "down" and the reverse "up" regardless of the relative
          size of the computers involved.  So far the in-space machines
          have invariably been smaller; thus the upload/download
          distinction has been reversed from its usual sense.
       
          [{Jargon File}]
       
          (1994-12-07)