UDP (User Datagram Protocol) and TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) are both transport layer protocols used for sending data over the internet. However, there are some key differences between the two:
1. TCP is connection-oriented while UDP is connectionless: TCP establishes a connection between two devices before any data is transmitted. This connection must be maintained throughout the entire data transfer process. UDP, on the other hand, does not establish a connection between devices and simply sends data packets to the recipient without confirmation that they have been received.
1. Reliability: Because TCP establishes a connection and requires confirmation of data receipts, it is considered a reliable protocol. UDP is not considered reliable because it does not receive confirmation of receipt or resend lost packets.
1. Ordering: TCP guarantees that data will be delivered in the order it was sent, whereas UDP does not provide any guarantees of the order in which data will be delivered.
1. Speed: Because TCP guarantees reliable data transfer, it may be slower than UDP. UDP can transmit data at a faster speed, but it may not be as accurate.
1. Usage: TCP is typically used for applications where precise data transmission is necessary, such as web browsing, email, and file transfers. UDP is often used for applications such as online gaming, video streaming, and VoIP, where a small amount of data is lost and speed is more important than accuracy.
