Whenever computer systems or devices need to talk to each other they need to clearly define how that data will be transmitted and what format that data will use.
The set of rules that define this format is called a Protocol.
Common examples of protocols.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) – Used for copying files between computer systems/devices
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) – Used for accessing HTML files across a network, including the Internet.
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) – Used for email retrieval and storage.
IP – (Internet Protocol) – Responsible for logical addressing on a network. As in “IP address”
POP (Post Office Protocol) – The most common protocol for receiving email messages. Now in version 3 so commonly referred to as “POP3”.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) – Used for transferring Email between computer systems. The most common protocol for sending email.
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) – Used to ensure the delivery of information packets across a network.
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