TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is a communications standard that enables application programs and computing devices to exchange messages over a network. It is a connection-oriented protocol for communications that helps in the exchange of messages between different devices over a network. TCP is used for organizing data in a way that ensures secure transmission between the server and client, and it guarantees the integrity of data sent over the network, regardless of the amount.
Here are some of the main uses of TCP:
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Sending data between applications and devices: TCP enables data to be transferred between applications and devices on a network and is used in the TCP/IP model. It is designed to break down a message, such as an email, into packets of data to ensure the message reaches its destination successfully and as quickly as possible.
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Ensuring reliable transmission of packets: TCP includes mechanisms to solve many of the problems that arise from packet-based messaging, such as lost packets, out of order packets, duplicate packets, and corrupted packets. It is used to provide reliable delivery services.
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Establishing connections: When two computers want to send data to each other over TCP, they first need to establish a connection using a three-way handshake. TCP defines how applications can create channels of communication across a network.
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Providing remote login over the network: TCP/IP can be used to provide remote login over the network for interactive file transfer to deliver email, to deliver webpages over the network, and to remotely access a server hosts file system.
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Sending data for other higher-level protocols: TCP is used to transmit data from other higher-level protocols that require all transmitted data to arrive, such as Secure Shell (SSH), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Telnet, Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Post Office Protocol (POP), Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), and HTTP.
Overall, TCP is an important protocol that establishes the rules and standard procedures for the way information is communicated over the internet.