The VideoLAN Forums

I am confused with the English version of "stream output". What is really meant with "stream output" ?
(1) It is the stream that goes out ? If so, shouldn't that be written "output stream" instead ?
or
(2) It is a [physical] output that outputs the stream ?

As far as I know, in English "stream output" means (2).
The French translation uses "flux de sortie", which means (1).

Who's right ?

Cristi

Stream output is a stream that goes out.
So of course French is right

Both "stream" and "output" are nouns, but when put together, the first one acts as an adjective in English. Consider "cowboy hat." It's a type of hat. So a stream output should be a kind of output, whereas "output stream" would refer to some sort of stream.

Generally, I think of "output" as referring to data coming from a source (in a context which refers to that source), while "stream" indicates a flow of information, regardless of its origin or destination. It might be a protocol, a connection, a pathway, etc.