Glossary term
What is TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)?
TCP stands for Transmission Control Protocol.
In DevOps
Reliable, ordered delivery: every packet is checked and re-sent if lost. Websites, databases and SSH all use it.
Learn it properly · DevOpsLesson 2: Networking Basics: IP, Ports, TCP/UDP and FirewallsHow a browser request actually finds and reaches your server. The layer Vercel hides completely, and the one you must understand before EC2 makes any sense.In System Design
Reliable, ordered delivery of data. Resends anything lost. Example: A courier with tracking: every page arrives, in order. Used by websites and databases.
Learn it properly · System DesignLesson 2: TCP vs UDP: How Data Actually TravelsThe internet loses, duplicates and reorders packets. TCP promises every byte in order and pays for it in round trips; UDP just sends and lets the app cope. How each works, and how QUIC takes the best of both.In The Browser Contract
A reliable way to send data in order. HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 use it. Opening a connection takes a short hello exchange that costs one round trip.
Learn it properly · The Browser ContractLesson 0: What Happens When You Type a URL (The Full Version)The full trip from pressing Enter to seeing pixels: DNS, TCP, TLS, HTTP, then reading the page and painting it. Caches skip most steps. Every other lesson in this series fits on this map.