Throughput: meaning, definitions and examples
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throughput
[ θruːpʊt ]
data processing
Throughput refers to the amount of data that can be processed, transmitted, or received in a given amount of time. It is commonly used in various fields such as telecommunications, computer science, and network engineering to measure the efficiency and capacity of a system. Throughput is typically expressed in units such as bits per second (bps) or transactions per second. Understanding throughput is crucial for optimizing processes and improving performance in both hardware and software applications.
Synonyms
capacity, output, performance.
Examples of usage
- The network's throughput improved after the upgrade.
- We measured the throughput of the data center.
- Increased throughput leads to faster data processing.
Etymology
The term 'throughput' originated in the late 19th century, combining the words 'through' and 'put.' It initially referred to the capacity of a system to handle materials or resources, especially in industrial contexts. Over time, the usage of the term expanded into various fields such as computing and telecommunications, where it became essential for describing the rate of data transfer and processing in systems. The concept of throughput is crucial as it helps to quantify and analyze the performance of different systems, facilitating improvements and optimizations in technology and processes.