What does TCP stand for in networking?

TCP stands for Transmission Control Protocol. This protocol is fundamental to the Internet protocol suite and operates at the transport layer of the OSI model. Its primary function is to provide reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of data between applications running on hosts communicating over an IP network.

When data is sent using TCP, it is divided into segments, each of which is assigned a sequence number. This allows the receiving end to reassemble the data in the correct order, even if the packets arrive out of sequence. Additionally, TCP ensures reliability through mechanisms such as acknowledgments and retransmissions of lost packets.

The other options do not accurately describe TCP: "Transport Control Protocol" and "Transfer Control Protocol" do not exist as formal terms used in networking, while "Telecommunication Control Protocol" is also not a recognized term in the context of TCP or the internet protocols. Understanding the definition and functionality of TCP is crucial for anyone studying network security and computing, as it underpins many internet communications and applications.