Protocols are a fundamental aspect of digital communication as they dictate how to format, transmit and receive data. They are a set of rules that determines how the data will be transmitted over the network.
It can also be defined as a communication standard followed by the two key parties (sender and receiver) in a computer network to communicate with each other.
It specifies what type of data can be transmitted, what commands are used to send and receive data, and how data transfers are confirmed.
In simple terms, a protocol is similar to a language. Every language has its own rules and vocabulary. Protocols have their own rules, specifications, and implementations. If two people share the same language, they can communicate very easily and effectively. Similarly, two hosts implementing the same protocol can connect and communicate easily with each other. Hence, protocols provide a common language for network devices participating in data communication.
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