TCP and UDP — what is the main difference between these network protocols?

Main differences between TCP and UDP:

• TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) — a connection-oriented protocol that provides reliable data delivery, error checking, and order of transmission. Used when data integrity and sequence are important (e.g., HTTP, FTP).

• UDP (User Datagram Protocol) — connectionless, does not guarantee delivery, order, or integrity. Faster and simpler, suitable for applications where speed is crucial and some data loss is acceptable (e.g., streaming, online gaming).

Bottom line: TCP is reliable and slower, UDP is faster and less reliable.