What do protocols define in network communications?

Protocols in network communications specifically define the rules and conventions for data transmission between devices. This encompasses a wide range of guidelines that dictate how data is packaged, transmitted, received, and processed over a network. They ensure that disparate devices and systems can communicate effectively, even if they are manufactured by different vendors or using different underlying technologies.

For example, protocols establish standards for data format, error detection and correction, data compression, and flow control. This means they play a pivotal role in ensuring reliable communication, enabling devices to interpret the data correctly and respond appropriately.

Recognizing that protocols do not typically encompass hardware specifications, application properties, or user permissions clarifies their unique role in networking. While hardware specifications might inform the capabilities of devices, and application properties might relate to the functionalities offered by software programs, it is the protocols that enable these systems to communicate and operate smoothly with each other. Similarly, user permissions are more concerned with access control rather than the mechanics of data transmission itself.