: To ensure a file remains available even if the original uploader (the "seeder") leaves, clients prioritize downloading the pieces of the file that are least common within the swarm. Terminology

: A small metadata file (.torrent) that contains information about the files to be shared and the address of the tracker.

The protocol relies on several key technical components to ensure speed and reliability:

: A collection of peers (users) who are all simultaneously uploading and downloading the same file.

: Servers that keep track of which peers are in a swarm and help them find each other.

: A user who is still in the process of downloading the file (though they typically upload pieces they've already received).