protocol

A set of formal rules describing how to transmit data,

especially across a network. Low level protocols define the

electrical and physical standards to be observed, bit- and

byte-ordering and the transmission and error detection andcorrection of the bit stream. High level protocols deal with

the data formatting, including the syntax of messages, the

terminal to computer dialogue, character sets, sequencing of

messages etc.

Many protocols are defined by RFCs or by OSI.

See also handshaking.

[Jargon File]

(1995-01-12)