TCP vs. UDP
protocols used for sending bits of data — known as packets — over the Internet.
| TCP | UDP |
|---|---|
| Transmission Control Protocol | User Datagram Protocol |
| recipient send packets back to acknowledge it is received your packets. | packets are just sent to the recipient. No acknowledge response |
| guarantees the recipient will receive the packets in order by numbering them. -> resend if the sender does not get a correct response -> tracked : no data is lost or corrupted in transit. |
no guarantee you are getting all the packets and there is no way to ask for a packet again if you miss it |
| most commonly used | used when speed is desirable and error correction is not necessary. -> live broadcasts, online games. |