Seeding partially downloaded torrents

[kotlomoy]

Consider this situation: you partially downloaded torrent, then relocated files. After relocating files BitTorrent refuses to seed partial torrent without downloading all files.

Meanwhile there are a lot of torrents which are implied to be partially downloaded. For example, aggregate torrent containing all editions of some software. It is implied that you'll download only one particular edition you need and ignore all other editions. Other example is "full discography" ot "full filmography" torrents. Such aggregate torrents are quite common.

BitTorrent doesn't allow to seed such torrents. Significant flaw, isn't it? Very disappointing

My suggestion is to allow seeding of partially downloaded torrents.

[Harold Feit]

A seed, by definition, has 100% of all pieces.

Additionally, because of cross-file pieces, selective downloading BREAKS more than just the definition.

[kotlomoy]

Then my second suggestion: do not make cross-file pieces.

On the other hand, before relocating files BitTorrent seeds partial downloads with no problem. So, cross-file pieces do not break anything actually. All the more so I relocate overhead chunks as well (is it cross-file pieces?).

My suggestion: just make BitTorrent to not download missing files after recheck. Let it just seed. Is it a big problem?

[Harold Feit]

Then my second suggestion: do not make cross-file pieces.

This would REQUIRE a MAJOR rewrite for how torrents are made and would break compatibility with old torrents in the process.