Network protocols UDP (User Datagram Protocol) and TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) are two fundamental transport layer protocols that enable communication between applications running on different hosts across an IP network. UDP provides a connectionless, unreliable datagram service that prioritizes speed and efficiency over reliability.
It does not guarantee message delivery or preserve the order of packets, making it suitable for applications that can tolerate some data loss, such as streaming media, online gaming, and VoIP. In contrast, TCP establishes a reliable, connection-oriented byte stream between the communicating applications.
It ensures the successful delivery of data and maintains the proper sequencing of packets through mechanisms like acknowledgments, retransmissions, and flow control. TCP’s reliability comes at the cost of higher overhead and latency compared to UDP. Common applications that rely on TCP include web browsing, email, file transfers, and remote administration.
The choice between UDP and TCP depends on the specific requirements of the application, balancing the trade-offs between reliability, speed, and efficiency in the context of the network environment and the nature of the data being transmitted.
