UDP-Protocol

The User Datagram Protocol (UDP) is the "uncomplicated" counterpart to TCP. Its structure is significantly simpler, but it also offers no security: no connection establishment, no guarantee of sequence, or error correction—a "fire at will," so to speak.

So why use it at all? Quite simply: Because it's faster. UDP makes sense in applications where it's more important that data arrives quickly than complete. Think of online games, live video streams, or VoIP calls. If a data packet gets lost, it's not a big deal—the rest of the call or video continues.

UDP sends so-called datagrams, which only contain the source and destination ports and a simple checksum. There's no connection setup, no confirmation of whether the packet was received—so it's comparable to a conversation in a crowded room where you simply shout and hope the other person heard you.

Overall, UDP is an example of how different requirements exist depending on the application – and how one has to balance reliability and speed in network technology.