Which of the following best describes the difference between TCP and UDP?

The distinction between TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol) primarily lies in their approach to data transmission and reliability. TCP is designed to provide reliable communication. It establishes a connection between the sender and receiver before data transmission occurs, ensures that all packets arrive in the correct order, and handles retransmission of lost packets. This mechanism guarantees that data is sent accurately and acknowledges receipt of packets, which is fundamental in applications requiring high reliability, such as web browsing and file transfers.

In contrast, UDP is a simpler, connectionless protocol. It sends packets without establishing a connection, and it does not guarantee the delivery, order, or integrity of the data. This makes UDP faster and more efficient for applications where speed is critical, such as real-time video streaming or online gaming, where occasional data loss is acceptable.

Thus, the correct description of TCP's and UDP's characteristics highlights that TCP ensures reliable data transmission, while UDP does not provide such guarantees. This fundamental difference is key in understanding their applications and choosing the appropriate protocol for specific use cases.