WordNet
n. (computer science) rules determining the format and transmission of data [syn: protocol]
Wikipedia
In telecommunications, a communication protocol is a system of rules that allow two or more entities of a communications system to transmit information via any kind of variation of a physical quantity. These are the rules or standard that defines the syntax, semantics and synchronization of communication and possible error recovery methods. Protocols may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of both.
Communicating systems use well-defined formats ( protocol) for exchanging various messages. Each message has an exact meaning intended to elicit a response from a range of possible responses pre-determined for that particular situation. The specified behavior is typically independent of how it is to be implemented. Communications protocols have to be agreed upon by the parties involved. To reach agreement, a protocol may be developed into a technical standard. A programming language describes the same for computations, so there is a close analogy between protocols and programming languages: protocols are to communications what programming languages are to computations.
Usage examples of "communications protocol".
Do you *really* want to populate your dreaming hours with arcane communications protocol topics?
That's the communications protocol we'd use to notify our NATO allies in the event of a nuclear attack on the United States.
Among those features was a communications protocol which automatically challenged and logged the identity of the sender for every single com message, but it appeared the current landlords were less anxious about such matters than their predecessors had been.
Anything less like proper military procedure than Ruth's idea of communications protocol would have been impossible to imagine.
Basic planetary telecommunication had evolved into a decentralized swarm system of old silicon-based computers demanding no organization or hierarchy, demanding nothing beyond a common communications protocol.
Ken had streamlined the excavation process, moved Donny's support beams, and devised a central communications protocol.
All units to adopt nonsecure communications protocol until further notice.
There was no need to go through full communications protocol on a dedicated line, any more than there was when dealing with one's fellows face-to-face.