In the computing space, protocols are essentially a set of rules and/or procedures that establish how data transfers should be made between devices using telecommunication networks.
As information is being sharing between different machines, for example, a set of computers, protocols help insure that data is treated equally when it is being shared and once it reaches its final destination.
In a very basic way, we could say that protocols exist to make interoperability be part of the digital world.
Today there are several protocols in place. Some of the most important ones include, for example, the open system interconnection (OSI) protocol which offers the guidelines for implementing networking communications between computers.
Another protocol is the TCP/IP, which stands for transmission control protocol (TCP) and internet protocol (IP), however, it refers to the internet protocol suite as a whole.
Further protocols include HTTPS, SMTP, TCP, UDP, DCCP and DNS.
