Sync and synch are abbreviations of synchrony, or

synchronization Synchronization is the coordination of events to operate a system in unison. For example, the Conductor (music), conductor of an orchestra keeps the orchestra synchronized or ''in time''. Systems that operate with all parts in synchrony are sa ...

, the coordination of events to keep them in time. The opposite of synchrony is asynchrony. Sync or synch may also refer to:

Computing and technology

Sync (Unix) sync is a standard system call in the Unix operating system, which commits all data from the kernel (operating system), kernel filesystem buffer (computer science), buffers to Non-volatile memory, non-volatile storage, i.e., data which has been sc ...

, a command and a system call for Unix-like operating systems *

Data synchronization Data synchronization is the process of establishing consistency between source and target data stores, and the continuous harmonization of the data over time. It is fundamental to a wide variety of applications, including file synchronization a ...

, keeping multiple copies of a dataset in coherence with one another *

File synchronization File synchronization (or syncing) in computing is the process of ensuring that computer files in two or more locations are updated via certain rules. In ''one-way file synchronization'', also called Web mirror, mirroring, updated files are copied ...

or syncing, to synchronize directories or files on computers *Browser synchronization, cloud service provided by web browser vendors for users to synchronize settings and data on multiple devices *

Microsoft Sync Framework Microsoft Sync Framework is a data synchronization platform from Microsoft that can be used to synchronize data across multiple data stores. Sync Framework includes a transport-agnostic architecture, into which data store-specific synchronization ...

, a data synchronization platform from Microsoft * Resilio Sync (formerly BitTorrent Sync), a peer-to-peer file synchronization tool *

Synchronization (computer science) In computer science, synchronization is the task of coordinating multiple processes to join up or handshake at a certain point, in order to reach an agreement or commit to a certain sequence of action. Motivation The need for synchronization ...

, relates to similar principles of synchronization of processes or data * Syncthing, an open source peer-to-peer file synchronization tool * SyncToy, a Microsoft PowerToy's software for file synchronization *

Syncword In computer networks, a syncword, sync character, sync sequence or preamble is used to synchronize a data transmission by indicating the end of header information and the start of data. The syncword is a known sequence of data used to identif ...

, in computer networks, used to synchronize a data transmission by indicating the end of header information and the start of data

Electricity and electronics

*Sync, a signal used in

composite video Composite video, also known as CVBS (composite video baseband signal or color, video, blanking and sync), is an analog video format that combines image information—such as brightness (luminance), color (chrominance), and synchronization, int ...

systems to coordinate the timings of lines, fields and frames *

DIN sync DIN sync, also called Sync24, is a synchronization interface for electronic musical instruments. It was introduced in 1980 by Roland Corporation and has been superseded by MIDI. Definition and history DIN sync was introduced in 1980 by Ro ...

, a standard interface for electronic music instruments *

Ford Sync Ford Sync (stylized Ford SYNC) is a factory-installed, integrated in-car communications and entertainment system, in-vehicle communications and entertainment system that allows users to make hands-free telephone calls, control music and perform ...

, an in-car communications and entertainment system *

Oscillator sync Oscillator sync is a feature in some synthesizers with two or more VCOs, DCOs, or "virtual" oscillators. As one oscillator finishes a cycle, it resets the period of another oscillator, forcing the latter to have the same base frequency. This can ...

, where a slave oscillator is reset by a master oscillator *

Synchronization (alternating current) In an alternating current (AC) electric power system, synchronization is the process of matching the frequency, phase and voltage of a generator or other source to an electrical grid in order to transfer power. If two unconnected segments of a g ...

, the process of matching the speed and frequency of a generator or other source to a running network

Arts, entertainment and media

Fictional entities

Synch (comics) Synch (Everett Thomas) is a fictional character and Mutant (Marvel Comics), mutant superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Scott Lobdell, he first appeared in ''X-Men: Legacy, X-Men'' #36 (September 199 ...

, a Marvel Comics superhero character *Sync, an enemy character in ''Tales of the Abyss''; see

List of Tales of the Abyss episodes The 26 episodes of the Japanese anime series ''Tales of the Abyss#Anime, Tales of the Abyss'' are jointly produced by Bandai Visual, Namco Bandai Games, and Sunrise (company), Sunrise, and are based on the PlayStation 2 game of the same name. Ta ...

* ''Sync'' (film), an Indian Tamil horror thriller film

Other uses in arts, entertainment, and media

* Synch (band), 1980s band who performed "Where Are You Now" *SYNC (also referred to as "Audiobooks for Teens", or "SyncYA"), a summer giveaway program sponsored by '' AudioFile'' magazine * ''Sync'' (2010), a video installation by

Max Hattler Max Hattler is a German video artist and experimental filmmaker. He created the kaleidoscopic political short films "Collision" (2005) and "Spin" (2010), abstract stop motion works "Shift" (2012) and "AANAATT" (2008), and psychedelic animatio ...

Synchronization rights A music synchronization license, or "sync" for short, is a music license granted by the holder of the copyright of a particular composition, allowing the licensee to synchronize ("sync") their music with various forms of media output (film, telev ...

, an example of a music license, defined by a synchronization license * The Sync, a defunct American webcasting company

Computing and technology

Electricity and electronics

Arts, entertainment and media

Fictional entities

Other uses in arts, entertainment, and media

See also