# Glossary ## read (end, cb) A function that retrives the next chunk. All readable streams (sources, and throughs) must return a `read` function. ## reader (read,...) A function to create a reader. It takes a `read` function as the first argument, and any other options after that. When passed to `pipeable` or `pipeableSource`, a new function is created that adds `.pipe(dest)` ## Lazy vs Eager Lazy means to avoid doing something until you know you have to do it. Eager means to do something early, so you have it ready immediately when you need it. ## Source The first stream in the pipeline. The Source is not writable. ## Sink The last Stream in the pipeline. The Sink is not readable. ## Push vs Pull A pull-stream is a stream where the movement of data is initiated by the sink, and a push-stream is a stream where the movement of data is initiated by the source. ## Reader vs Writable In push streams, destination streams (Through and Sink), are _writable_. They are written to by the source streams. In pull streams, destination streams _read_ from the source streams. They are the active participant, so they are called _readers_ rather than _writables_.