What is the function of the User Datagram Protocol (UDP)?

The function of the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) revolves around its design to provide a lightweight communication method that emphasizes speed and efficiency. UDP operates without the overhead that comes with connection-oriented protocols, such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol). This minimal overhead allows UDP to transmit data quickly, making it ideal for applications where speed is critical and where occasional data loss is acceptable, such as video streaming, online gaming, or voice over IP (VoIP).

While UDP does include some basic error-checking through checksums, it does not ensure that packets are received or retransmitted if lost, nor does it manage sessions or maintain state between the sender and receiver, which can lead to incomplete transmission in some cases. This characteristic of UDP allows it to minimize the resources required for data transmission compared to protocols that prioritize reliability or segmentation.

In contrast, other options focus on features not associated with UDP, such as guaranteed delivery or encryption, which are not part of UDP's functionality. This distinction underscores UDP's role as a protocol that prioritizes speed over reliability, making it an efficient choice for specific use cases where performance is paramount.