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Lære TCP vs UDP in Practice | Networking Fundamentals in Python
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bookTCP vs UDP in Practice

When you need to send data across a network in Python, you usually rely on two main protocols: TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol). Both are built on top of the Internet Protocol (IP), but they have distinct characteristics that make them suitable for different tasks.

TCP is a connection-oriented protocol, which means it establishes a reliable connection between two endpoints before any data is sent. It guarantees that all data arrives in order and without errors. This makes TCP ideal for applications where accuracy and reliability are essential, such as web browsing, email, and file transfers.

UDP, on the other hand, is connectionless. It sends datagrams without establishing a dedicated end-to-end connection and does not guarantee order or delivery. This makes UDP faster and more lightweight, but less reliable. It is often used for applications where speed is more important than reliability, such as live video streaming, online gaming, or voice over IP (VoIP).

When deciding between TCP and UDP, you should consider the needs of your application:

  • Choose TCP when you require reliable, ordered delivery of data;
  • Choose UDP when you need low latency and can tolerate the occasional loss or reordering of packets.
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import socket # Creating a TCP socket tcp_sock = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM) print("TCP socket created:", tcp_sock) # Creating a UDP socket udp_sock = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_DGRAM) print("UDP socket created:", udp_sock)
copy

In the code above, you use the socket module to create two different types of sockets. For a TCP socket, you specify socket.SOCK_STREAM as the socket type, which tells Python to use the stream-oriented TCP protocol. For a UDP socket, you use socket.SOCK_DGRAM, indicating the datagram-based UDP protocol.

The main difference here is in how each socket handles communication. A TCP socket (SOCK_STREAM) expects to connect to a remote address before sending or receiving data, ensuring reliable delivery. A UDP socket (SOCK_DGRAM), however, can send messages to any address at any time, but with no guarantee that the messages will arrive or arrive in order.

Understanding these fundamental differences in socket creation and usage is crucial when building networked applications in Python. Your choice between TCP and UDP will directly affect the reliability, speed, and complexity of your program.

question mark

Which protocol guarantees ordered and reliable delivery of data?

Select the correct answer

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bookTCP vs UDP in Practice

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When you need to send data across a network in Python, you usually rely on two main protocols: TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol). Both are built on top of the Internet Protocol (IP), but they have distinct characteristics that make them suitable for different tasks.

TCP is a connection-oriented protocol, which means it establishes a reliable connection between two endpoints before any data is sent. It guarantees that all data arrives in order and without errors. This makes TCP ideal for applications where accuracy and reliability are essential, such as web browsing, email, and file transfers.

UDP, on the other hand, is connectionless. It sends datagrams without establishing a dedicated end-to-end connection and does not guarantee order or delivery. This makes UDP faster and more lightweight, but less reliable. It is often used for applications where speed is more important than reliability, such as live video streaming, online gaming, or voice over IP (VoIP).

When deciding between TCP and UDP, you should consider the needs of your application:

  • Choose TCP when you require reliable, ordered delivery of data;
  • Choose UDP when you need low latency and can tolerate the occasional loss or reordering of packets.
123456789
import socket # Creating a TCP socket tcp_sock = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM) print("TCP socket created:", tcp_sock) # Creating a UDP socket udp_sock = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_DGRAM) print("UDP socket created:", udp_sock)
copy

In the code above, you use the socket module to create two different types of sockets. For a TCP socket, you specify socket.SOCK_STREAM as the socket type, which tells Python to use the stream-oriented TCP protocol. For a UDP socket, you use socket.SOCK_DGRAM, indicating the datagram-based UDP protocol.

The main difference here is in how each socket handles communication. A TCP socket (SOCK_STREAM) expects to connect to a remote address before sending or receiving data, ensuring reliable delivery. A UDP socket (SOCK_DGRAM), however, can send messages to any address at any time, but with no guarantee that the messages will arrive or arrive in order.

Understanding these fundamental differences in socket creation and usage is crucial when building networked applications in Python. Your choice between TCP and UDP will directly affect the reliability, speed, and complexity of your program.

question mark

Which protocol guarantees ordered and reliable delivery of data?

Select the correct answer

Var alt klart?

Hvordan kan vi forbedre det?

Tak for dine kommentarer!

Sektion 1. Kapitel 4
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