buffer?

[hic2482w]

I keep on hearing this term, but I've never understood what it meant. What exactly is a buffer?

 

[bluedasher]

This belongs in the OAQT and a "buffer" refers to a piece on a puzzle and is generally talked about in BLD. A buffer is a piece that you are going to solve next in a BLD solve. That is where I have heard "buffer" used, however I'm sure there is a more precise definition.

 

[PEZenfuego]

Think of it as a position rather than a piece. The piece in the buffer position is put in its correct position and the piece in its correct position moves to the buffer position. It is hard to explain. If you are really interested in solving a cube blindfolded, then watch a video. It will make a whole lot more sense.

Fun fact: a buffer is also an ionic compound that resists change in its pH. I'm no chemistry expert, but in water chemistry, these are used to change the pH of a solution. In reef chemistry, buffers almost always refer to additives that raise the pH to habitable levels (albeit temporarily).

 

[maggot]

a buffer piece is a spot on the puzzle in which you cycle stickers from. it is called a buffer piece or a buffer zone. during your setup moves, one typically moves a piece/s into a spot near the buffer, performs a cycle, and then undoes the setup moves. the most basic concept of the edge buffer is the UR edge, perform a T permutation, and the UL edge switches places with the buffer.

 

[Stefan]

A buffer is a piece that you are going to solve next in a BLD solve.

Ouch. No. You're talking about pieces in the buffer. The buffer is a place.

This belongs in the OAQT

If the first answer is wrong, this proves that it doesn't belong there. Well, or that the first answerer doesn't know what he's talking about. Either way, you failed.