Opaque binary blob
Encyclopedia
Opaque binary blob is a term used in network engineering
and computer science
to refer to a sizeable piece of data, which looks like binary garbage from outside, by entities which do not know what that blob denotes or carries, but make sense to entities which have access permission and access functions to them. It is also a pejorative term for compiled
code without the source code made available (see: binary blob
).
, Advanced Message Queuing Protocol
, uses the terminology of OBB.
s, starting with version 2.3 code named Gingerbread, use OBBs to refer in one blob to multiple files, maybe even a file system or whole file system in one file.
These OBBs are available through the Storage Manager interface in Android.
This is done as a means of abstraction
, so multiple applications running on the operating system can more easily access the OBB. For example, if there was a map database (map OBB), multiple applications running on Android 2.3 can access the same maps. This eliminates the need to maintain different map data for different applications with similar functions and features.
Tuxedo
middleware also uses OBBs to mention C
and C++
arrays, or typed data buffers. This probably (input needed from experts) is the oldest reference to OBBs used in a computer system.
When a vendor distributes software in an object binary form without any mention of its inner workings or code, it is called a 'proprietary OBB' or 'proprietary blob' or just binary blob
. This practice is to protect the company's intellectual property, and probably keep a competitive edge (see: proprietary software
). This also prevents hackers from improving the system or subverting it. As an example, Nvidia Tegra has such a 'proprietary OBB.'
Network engineering
In telecommunications, network engineering may refer to:*The field concerned with internetworking service requirements for switched telephone networks and developing the required hardware and software...
and computer science
Computer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
to refer to a sizeable piece of data, which looks like binary garbage from outside, by entities which do not know what that blob denotes or carries, but make sense to entities which have access permission and access functions to them. It is also a pejorative term for compiled
Compiler
A compiler is a computer program that transforms source code written in a programming language into another computer language...
code without the source code made available (see: binary blob
Binary blob
In the free software community, binary blob is a pejorative term for an object file loaded into the kernel of a open source operating system without publicly available source code...
).
Use in networks
At least one network protocolCommunications protocol
A communications protocol is a system of digital message formats and rules for exchanging those messages in or between computing systems and in telecommunications...
, Advanced Message Queuing Protocol
Advanced Message Queuing Protocol
The Advanced Message Queuing Protocol is an open standard application layer protocol for message-oriented middleware. The defining features of AMQP are message orientation, queuing, routing , reliability and security.AMQP mandates the behaviour of the messaging provider and client to the extent...
, uses the terminology of OBB.
Use in the computer field
Android operating systemOperating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
s, starting with version 2.3 code named Gingerbread, use OBBs to refer in one blob to multiple files, maybe even a file system or whole file system in one file.
These OBBs are available through the Storage Manager interface in Android.
This is done as a means of abstraction
Abstraction (computer science)
In computer science, abstraction is the process by which data and programs are defined with a representation similar to its pictorial meaning as rooted in the more complex realm of human life and language with their higher need of summarization and categorization , while hiding away the...
, so multiple applications running on the operating system can more easily access the OBB. For example, if there was a map database (map OBB), multiple applications running on Android 2.3 can access the same maps. This eliminates the need to maintain different map data for different applications with similar functions and features.
Tuxedo
Tuxedo (software)
Tuxedo is a middleware platform used to manage distributed transaction processing in distributed computing environments...
middleware also uses OBBs to mention C
C (programming language)
C is a general-purpose computer programming language developed between 1969 and 1973 by Dennis Ritchie at the Bell Telephone Laboratories for use with the Unix operating system....
and C++
C++
C++ is a statically typed, free-form, multi-paradigm, compiled, general-purpose programming language. It is regarded as an intermediate-level language, as it comprises a combination of both high-level and low-level language features. It was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup starting in 1979 at Bell...
arrays, or typed data buffers. This probably (input needed from experts) is the oldest reference to OBBs used in a computer system.
When a vendor distributes software in an object binary form without any mention of its inner workings or code, it is called a 'proprietary OBB' or 'proprietary blob' or just binary blob
Binary blob
In the free software community, binary blob is a pejorative term for an object file loaded into the kernel of a open source operating system without publicly available source code...
. This practice is to protect the company's intellectual property, and probably keep a competitive edge (see: proprietary software
Proprietary software
Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary...
). This also prevents hackers from improving the system or subverting it. As an example, Nvidia Tegra has such a 'proprietary OBB.'