Direct download link
Encyclopedia
Direct download link alternatively simply direct download, is a term used within the Internet-based file sharing
community. It is used to describe a hyperlink
that points to a location within the Internet where the user can download a file. When used in conversation, DDL distinguishes itself from other forms of peer-to-peer
(P2P) downloading architectures in that it uses a client–server architecture, where 100-percent of the file is stored on a single file server
or in parallel across multiple file servers in a server farm
.
Originally, P2P was used to distribute large sized files without requiring much bandwidth
on the part of any one node
. However, because of sharing issues, such as the lack of seeding of torrents, throttling
of a node's file sharing ports by an Internet service provider
, or lawsuits because of uploading copyrighted material, direct downloads has become a popular and legal alternative among Leechers
. There is also an increase in businesses offering gigabyte
s of free bandwidth and storage space.
Despite the term commonly being used among warez
and other file sharing enthusiasts, direct downloading is heavily used by companies as a means of distributing products, such as application software
, drivers for peripherals, documentation in PDF format, and much more.
The maintainers of the site may have arguably good reasons for these impediments, such as:
However, many users see this as quite unnecessary, because they generally know what they need and don't want to go through the site's mechanics (such as filling out forms over and over) to get said file. Also, there may be bugs in the site's detection and/or download methods, thus forcing the user to obtain the file directly. Another example is when the site maintainer tries to identify the user's platform, and the user is simply using something other than the target platform to download the file (for example, using a Microsoft Windows system to download a Linux program, where the same program is built and offered for both platforms).
Therefore some users may collaborate on sites other than the one offering the desired files, and post URL
s which they have identified as being for the desired file. Thus a user wanting the same file does not have to endure the impediments encountered from the original site's maintainers, and simply obtains the file direclty.
File sharing
File sharing is the practice of distributing or providing access to digitally stored information, such as computer programs, multimedia , documents, or electronic books. It may be implemented through a variety of ways...
community. It is used to describe a hyperlink
Hyperlink
In computing, a hyperlink is a reference to data that the reader can directly follow, or that is followed automatically. A hyperlink points to a whole document or to a specific element within a document. Hypertext is text with hyperlinks...
that points to a location within the Internet where the user can download a file. When used in conversation, DDL distinguishes itself from other forms of peer-to-peer
Peer-to-peer
Peer-to-peer computing or networking is a distributed application architecture that partitions tasks or workloads among peers. Peers are equally privileged, equipotent participants in the application...
(P2P) downloading architectures in that it uses a client–server architecture, where 100-percent of the file is stored on a single file server
File server
In computing, a file server is a computer attached to a network that has the primary purpose of providing a location for shared disk access, i.e. shared storage of computer files that can be accessed by the workstations that are attached to the computer network...
or in parallel across multiple file servers in a server farm
Server farm
A server farm or server cluster is a collection of computer servers usually maintained by an enterprise to accomplish server needs far beyond the capability of one machine. Server farms often have backup servers, which can take over the function of primary servers in the event of a primary server...
.
Originally, P2P was used to distribute large sized files without requiring much bandwidth
Bandwidth (computing)
In computer networking and computer science, bandwidth, network bandwidth, data bandwidth, or digital bandwidth is a measure of available or consumed data communication resources expressed in bits/second or multiples of it .Note that in textbooks on wireless communications, modem data transmission,...
on the part of any one node
Node (networking)
In communication networks, a node is a connection point, either a redistribution point or a communication endpoint . The definition of a node depends on the network and protocol layer referred to...
. However, because of sharing issues, such as the lack of seeding of torrents, throttling
Bandwidth throttling
Bandwidth throttling is a reactive measure employed in communication networks to regulate network traffic and minimize bandwidth congestion. Bandwidth throttling can occur at different locations on the network. On a local area network , a sysadmin may employ bandwidth throttling to help limit...
of a node's file sharing ports by an Internet service provider
Internet service provider
An Internet service provider is a company that provides access to the Internet. Access ISPs directly connect customers to the Internet using copper wires, wireless or fiber-optic connections. Hosting ISPs lease server space for smaller businesses and host other people servers...
, or lawsuits because of uploading copyrighted material, direct downloads has become a popular and legal alternative among Leechers
Leech (computing)
In computing and specifically Internet, a leech or leecher is one who benefits, usually deliberately, from others' information or effort but does not offer anything in return, or makes only token offerings in an attempt to avoid being called a leech...
. There is also an increase in businesses offering gigabyte
Gigabyte
The gigabyte is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information storage. The prefix giga means 109 in the International System of Units , therefore 1 gigabyte is...
s of free bandwidth and storage space.
Despite the term commonly being used among warez
Warez
Warez refers primarily to copyrighted works distributed without fees or royalties, and may be traded, in general violation of copyright law. The term generally refers to unauthorized releases by organized groups, as opposed to file sharing between friends or large groups of people with similar...
and other file sharing enthusiasts, direct downloading is heavily used by companies as a means of distributing products, such as application software
Application software
Application software, also known as an application or an "app", is computer software designed to help the user to perform specific tasks. Examples include enterprise software, accounting software, office suites, graphics software and media players. Many application programs deal principally with...
, drivers for peripherals, documentation in PDF format, and much more.
Subverting a Site Maintainers' Policies
DDL has also taken on a meaning of providing direct links within a site where the original site's maintainers impede a user from accessing a file directly. Typical impediments include:- Requiring the user to register and/or log in before being provided a link to the content they desire.
- Using ECMAScriptECMAScriptECMAScript is the scripting language standardized by Ecma International in the ECMA-262 specification and ISO/IEC 16262. The language is widely used for client-side scripting on the web, in the form of several well-known dialects such as JavaScript, JScript, and ActionScript.- History :JavaScript...
or similar programming along with altering the DOMDocument Object ModelThe Document Object Model is a cross-platform and language-independent convention for representing and interacting with objects in HTML, XHTML and XML documents. Aspects of the DOM may be addressed and manipulated within the syntax of the programming language in use...
so as to initiate a download instead of clicking or right-clicking directly on a link.
- Downloading a trampoline stub program which, when executed, downloads the complete file.
- Downloading a "download manager" application which then downloads the desired file (which is similar to downloading a stub, but is used for more than one file or package from the same site).
The maintainers of the site may have arguably good reasons for these impediments, such as:
- being able to inform (email) users of available updates so as to reduce the time software is vulnerable
- attempting to bind the user to a legal agreement (license, terms of use, acceptable use policy, etc.) before dispensing the files or software (a form of shrink wrap contractShrink wrap contractShrink wrap contracts are license agreements or other terms and conditions of a contractual nature which can only be read and accepted by the consumer after opening the product. The term describes the shrinkwrap plastic wrapping used to coat software boxes, though these contracts are not limited...
or browse wrapBrowse wrapBrowse-wrap is a term used in Internet law to refer to a contract or license agreement covering access to or use of materials on a web site. Specifically, a browse-wrap license is expected or assumed to have been agreed to before a user browses the website...
license)
- always downloading the latest version and therefore reducing their software's extant vulnerability
- reducing their Internet bandwidth requirements by only transferring files the user is likely to need
However, many users see this as quite unnecessary, because they generally know what they need and don't want to go through the site's mechanics (such as filling out forms over and over) to get said file. Also, there may be bugs in the site's detection and/or download methods, thus forcing the user to obtain the file directly. Another example is when the site maintainer tries to identify the user's platform, and the user is simply using something other than the target platform to download the file (for example, using a Microsoft Windows system to download a Linux program, where the same program is built and offered for both platforms).
Therefore some users may collaborate on sites other than the one offering the desired files, and post URL
Uniform Resource Locator
In computing, a uniform resource locator or universal resource locator is a specific character string that constitutes a reference to an Internet resource....
s which they have identified as being for the desired file. Thus a user wanting the same file does not have to endure the impediments encountered from the original site's maintainers, and simply obtains the file direclty.