Now I will never confuse TCP and UDP.
TCP
- Both sides coordinate.
- The receiver confirms every packet.
- Failed? Retry.
- Slower, but safe.
UDP
- Send it as fast as possible.
- No confirmation.
- No retries.
- Lower latency.
Real-world examples:
- TCP: payments, file transfers, API calls
- UDP: live video, gaming, DNS lookups
When you absolutely cannot lose data, reach for TCP. When speed matters more than perfect delivery, UDP may be the better fit.
The meme lives rent-free in my head now. 😄