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Protocols
An
agreed-upon format for transmitting data between two
devices. The protocol determines the following:
the type of error checking to be used
data compression method, if any how the sending device will
indicate that it has finished sending a message how the
receiving device will indicate that it has received a
message. There are a variety of standard protocols from
which programmers can choose. Each has particular advantages
and disadvantages; for example, some are simpler than
others, some are more reliable, and some are faster.
From a
user's point of view, the only interesting aspect about
protocols is that your computer or device must support the
right ones if you want to communicate with other computers.
The protocol can be implemented either in hardware or in
software.
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