What does a protocol define in networking?

A protocol in networking refers to a set of rules and conventions that dictate how data is transmitted and received over a network. This includes everything from establishing a connection, formatting messages, error checking, and determining how to manage data flow to ensure that the information sent from one device can be correctly interpreted by another.

Protocols ensure that devices from different manufacturers can communicate effectively, which is critical for the interoperability of various networked systems. Examples of such protocols include Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), Internet Protocol (IP), and Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), each designed for specific purposes in data transmission.

Understanding protocols is essential for networking as they form the backbone of how network communication is structured, facilitating data exchange in a reliable and efficient manner.