How does User Datagram Protocol (UDP) differ from TCP?

User Datagram Protocol (UDP) is fundamentally different from Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) in that it allows for faster data transmission by eliminating certain reliability features. One of the main characteristics of UDP is that it is a connectionless protocol, meaning it does not establish a connection before data transfer begins. This leads to lower latency and reduces the overhead involved in managing a connection, allowing for quicker delivery of data packets.

UDP does not guarantee reliable delivery or the order of packets. This is advantageous in scenarios where speed is more critical than precise delivery, such as in live audio or video streaming, online gaming, or broadcasting where occasional packet loss can be tolerated. The protocol provides a lightweight mechanism to send messages without the need for the sender and receiver to maintain a connection or for the sender to wait for acknowledgments from the receiver for successfully delivered packets.

By focusing on speed and efficiency, UDP enables applications that require real-time communication, providing faster data transfer compared to TCP, which incorporates features like error checking, retransmission of lost packets, and order sequencing for reliable delivery.