What exactly does "blocking" mean ?

[Nirad Sharma]

What exactly is the meaning of "blocking" with reference to dd, tar, cpio
etc ?  Does it have something to do with checksumming ?  What are the advantages
of larger blocks as opposed to smaller blocks ?

Many questions which I hope some guru can adequatly explain to me.  Thanks


Nirad Sharma  (exnirad at brolga.cc.uq.oz.au)		Phone : (61 7) 365 7575
Systems Programmer					Fax :	(61 7) 870 5080
Continuing Education Unit
The University of Queensland
AUSTRALIA
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Nirad Sharma  (exnirad at brolga.cc.uq.oz.au)		Phone : (61 7) 365 7575
Systems Programmer					Fax :	(61 7) 870 5080
Continuing Education Unit
The University of Queensland