The Basics of Networking | TCP and UDP
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol) are the two most commonly used protocols for transmitting data over a network. Both protocols are used for different types of data transmission and have their own unique features and characteristics. Simple Definition of TCP TCP is a connection-oriented protocol, which means that a virtual connection is established between the sender and the receiver before any data is transferred. This connection is maintained throughout the duration of the data transfer, and the receiver acknowledges receipt of each packet of data. This ensures that all data is received correctly and in the proper order. Additionally, TCP includes flow control and error-checking mechanisms to ensure that data is transferred efficiently and reliably. Due to these features, TCP is often used for applications that require high reliability, such as web browsing, email, and file transfer.