TCP vs. UDP: When is TCP Preferred?

TCP Preferred over UDP

Question

Under which condition is TCP preferred over UDP?

Answers

Explanations

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A. B. C. D.

C.

When deciding between TCP and UDP, it's important to consider the specific requirements and characteristics of the application and its data. Here are some general guidelines that can help in deciding which protocol is preferred:

A. UDP is used when low latency is optimal, and TCP is used when latency is tolerable. Low latency applications require fast delivery of data, such as online gaming or real-time communication. UDP is preferred in these cases because it does not require the time-consuming process of establishing and maintaining a connection, which can introduce delay. Additionally, UDP does not have any mechanisms for ensuring data delivery or retransmitting lost packets, which reduces the overhead and further improves latency. However, if the application can tolerate some delay and requires reliable data delivery, TCP may be preferred.

B. TCP is used when dropped data is more acceptable, and UDP is used when data is accepted out-of-order. TCP provides reliable data delivery by retransmitting lost packets and ensuring that they arrive in order. This makes it suitable for applications that require consistent and accurate data, such as file transfers or web browsing. However, this reliability comes at the cost of increased overhead and potential delay, and dropped packets can cause significant performance degradation. UDP, on the other hand, does not guarantee reliable delivery or packet ordering, which makes it suitable for applications that can tolerate some loss or out-of-order delivery, such as streaming media or real-time telemetry.

C. TCP is used when data reliability is critical, and UDP is used when missing packets are acceptable. For applications that require reliable data delivery, such as financial transactions or critical system updates, TCP is the preferred choice. TCP ensures that data is delivered accurately and in order, and it includes mechanisms for error detection and correction. UDP is best suited for applications where missing packets are acceptable, such as video streaming or online gaming, where occasional dropped frames or packets are not critical.

D. UDP is used when data is highly interactive, and TCP is used when data is time-sensitive. UDP is suitable for highly interactive applications, such as online gaming or virtual reality, because it allows for fast and responsive communication without the overhead of establishing and maintaining a connection. TCP is preferred when time-sensitive data needs to be delivered reliably and accurately, such as in financial trading or industrial control systems.

In summary, the choice between TCP and UDP depends on the specific requirements of the application and its data. UDP is preferred for low-latency, loss-tolerant, and interactive applications, while TCP is preferred for reliable, accurate, and time-sensitive data delivery.