TCP vs UDP

What is TCP?

TCP is an abbreviation for Transmission Control Protocol. If we wish to communicate between two computers, the communication must be good and consistent.

For example, if we want to see a web page, we expect nothing to be missing from the page; if we want to download a file, we want a whole file, meaning nothing should be missing, whether it be text or an image.

This is only feasible because of TCP. It is one of the most common protocols used on the TCP/IP network.

Features of TCP:

1. Data Delivery:

TCP protocol guarantees that data is received accurately, that no data is missing, and that it is in the correct sequence. If the TCP protocol is not utilized, erroneous or out-of-order data may be received. If we try to browse a web page or download a file without utilizing TCP, for example, certain data or graphics may be missing.

2. Protocol:

TCP is a protocol that manages connections. We take the term connection-oriented to mean that computers first create a link and then communicate.

This is achieved through the use of a three-way handshake. In a three-way handshake, the first sender delivers the SYN message to the receiver, who then sends back the SYN ACK message to confirm receipt of the message. The sender sends the acknowledgement message to the recipient after receiving the SYN ACK message.

The link between the computers is made in this manner. The data will be supplied after the connection is established. This protocol ensures data delivery, which implies that if the data is not received, the TCP will resend it.

What is UDP?

UDP is an abbreviation for User Datagram Protocol. Its operation is similar to TCP in that it is likewise used for message sending and receiving. The primary distinction is that UDP is a connectionless protocol.

The term “connectionless” refers to the fact that no connection is established prior to communication. It also does not ensure data packet delivery. UDP does not guarantee that the receiver receives the data which has been sent, which is why UDP is also sometimes known as the “fire-and-forget” protocol. UDP is quicker than TCP since it does not guarantee assurance of packet delivery.

Differences between TCP and UDP:

1. Types of Protocol:

Both protocols, TCP and UDP, are transport layer protocols. The TCP protocol is a connection-oriented protocol, whereas the UDP protocol is a connectionless protocol. It signifies that TCP requires a connection before communicating, but UDP does not.

2. Reliability:

TCP is a reliable protocol since it guarantees data delivery. It adheres to the acknowledgement process. In this technique, the sender gets an acknowledgement from the recipient and determines whether it is positive or negative. If the ACK is affirmative, it implies that the data was successfully received. TCP will resend the data if the ACK is negative. It adheres to the flow and error control mechanisms as well.
UDP is an untrustworthy protocol since it does not guarantee data delivery.

3. Flow Control:

TCP has a flow control method to ensure that a large number of packets are not transmitted to the recipient at the same time, whereas UDP does not.

4. Ordering:

TCP employs ordering and sequencing mechanisms to ensure that data packets are received in the same sequence as they were delivered. UDP, on the other hand, does not use any sort of ordering or sequencing scheme, therefore data can be transferred in any order.

5. Speed:

Because TCP makes a connection between a sender and receiver, conducts error checking, and ensures data packet delivery, but UDP neither creates a connection nor assures data packet delivery, UDP is quicker than TCP.

6. Flow of Data:

TCP allows data to flow in both directions, implying that it provides full-duplex service. UDP, on the other hand, is best suited for unidirectional data transfer.

Comparison between TCP and UDP (TCP vs UDP):

Summary:

In this article, we took a brief look at the TCP and UDP Protocols, along with the differences between them. In the end, we also looked at a direct tabular comparison between these two protocols.