What is BitTorrent

BitTorrent is a content distribution protocol that enables efficient software distribution and peer-to-peer sharing of very large files, such as entire movies and TV shows, by enabling users to serve as network redistribution points. Rather than having to send a download to each customer requesting it, the distributor or holder of content sends it to one customer who in turn sends it to other customers who together share the pieces of the download back and forth until everyone has the complete download. This makes it possible for the original server to serve many requests for large files without requiring immense amounts of bandwidth.

BitTorrent's protocol has been described as a "swarming, scatter and gather" file transfer protocol. It was written in the Python programming language by Bram Cohen and is distributed freely under an open source license.