What does TCP stand for in networking?

TCP stands for Transmission Control Protocol. It is one of the core protocols of the Internet Protocol Suite, responsible for ensuring reliable and ordered transmission of data over the network. TCP establishes a connection between the sender and receiver, enabling them to exchange data in a manner that can handle errors and ensure that packets arrive in sequence and without loss.

TCP achieves this reliability through various mechanisms, such as error checking, acknowledgments, and retransmission of lost packets. By managing these processes, TCP allows applications to communicate effectively over a potentially unreliable network, making it a foundational component for services like web browsing and email communication.

In contrast, the other choices do not represent widely recognized terms in networking. The alternative names either do not match established terminologies or describe unrelated concepts. Thus, the designation "Transmission Control Protocol" accurately reflects the purpose and functionality of TCP within computer networking.