What is the main characteristic of TCP?

What is the main characteristic of TCP?

• A. It is connection-oriented and ensures reliable data transmission.
• B. It is connectionless and fastest.
• C. It does not guarantee delivery.
• D. It uses datagrams and no segmentation.

Answer: (A)

TCP’s defining trait is that it is connection-oriented and provides reliable data transmission. Before any data moves, TCP sets up a dedicated session between the endpoints using a three-way handshake, establishing an end-to-end connection. Once the connection is in place, data is sent as a stream and is divided into segments with sequence numbers. The receiver acknowledges received data, and if an acknowledgment is missing or a timeout occurs, the sender retransmits the relevant segment, ensuring the data arrives correctly and in order. Flow control (the sliding window) and congestion control modulate the sending rate to prevent overwhelming the network or the receiver, reinforcing reliable delivery. Because TCP prioritizes accuracy and order over raw speed, it is typically slower than connectionless protocols. It also differs from datagram-based approaches by delivering a continuous byte stream rather than discrete, independent messages.

TCP’s defining trait is that it is connection-oriented and provides reliable data transmission. Before any data moves, TCP sets up a dedicated session between the endpoints using a three-way handshake, establishing an end-to-end connection. Once the connection is in place, data is sent as a stream and is divided into segments with sequence numbers. The receiver acknowledges received data, and if an acknowledgment is missing or a timeout occurs, the sender retransmits the relevant segment, ensuring the data arrives correctly and in order. Flow control (the sliding window) and congestion control modulate the sending rate to prevent overwhelming the network or the receiver, reinforcing reliable delivery. Because TCP prioritizes accuracy and order over raw speed, it is typically slower than connectionless protocols. It also differs from datagram-based approaches by delivering a continuous byte stream rather than discrete, independent messages.