protocol


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Related to protocol: Network protocol, Internet Protocol

protocol

1. the formal etiquette and code of behaviour, precedence, and procedure for state and diplomatic ceremonies
2. a memorandum or record of an agreement, esp one reached in international negotiations, a meeting, etc.
3. 
a. an amendment to a treaty or convention
b. an annexe appended to a treaty to deal with subsidiary matters or to render the treaty more lucid
c. a formal international agreement or understanding on some matter
4. Philosophy a statement that is immediately verifiable by experience
5. Computing the set form in which data must be presented for handling by a particular computer configuration, esp in the transmission of information between different computer systems
Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

protocol

[′prōd·ə‚kȯl]
(computer science)
A set of hardware and software interfaces in a terminal or computer which allows it to transmit over a communications network, and which collectively forms a communications language.
(science and technology)
A procedure that must be used when performing specified measurements or related operations in order for results to be acceptable to the specifying agency.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

protocol

A set of formal rules describing how to transmit data, especially across a network. Low level protocols define the electrical and physical standards to be observed, bit- and byte-ordering and the transmission and error detection and correction of the bit stream. High level protocols deal with the data formatting, including the syntax of messages, the terminal to computer dialogue, character sets, sequencing of messages etc.

Many protocols are defined by RFCs or by OSI.

See also handshaking.
This article is provided by FOLDOC - Free Online Dictionary of Computing (foldoc.org)
The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Protocol

 

a body of generally accepted rules, traditions, and conventions observed by governments, departments of foreign affairs, diplomatic representatives and employees, and other officials in international relations.

Protocol determines the order of visits, the forms of diplomatic correspondence, and the procedure for diplomatic receptions. It regulates the manner of receiving a foreign head of state, the head of government of a foreign state, and other foreign dignitaries and governmental delegations. All countries adhere to the rules of protocol, although each country applies them with due regard for its social structure, national characteristics, and customs.

The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
References in periodicals archive ?
For end users, the new protocol will mean much safer and faster web browsing.
The Destination-Sequenced Distance-Vector Routing protocol (DSDV) [9],[4] with extension that made it appropriate for mobile ad hoc networks.
Two medical-surgical pilot emits tested the protocol over a six-week period, showing decreased urinary catheter utilization rates in both areas.
“GL's MAPS[TM] SIGTRAN is an advanced protocol simulator/tester for SS7 simulation over IP Networks.
As one high-speed communications protocol, the High-Speed Retransmission-based Protocol(2) improves on TCP's communications performance with a re-engineered approach to retransmissions when packet loss occurs.
His remarks came after a number of western media alleged that Iran would ratify the additional protocol and commit to more IAEA inspections if, at the next round of talks with the world powers in Baghdad, there is an acknowledgment of Iran's nuclear rights and sanctions against it are lifted.
The course aims to develop the required skills and competencies of participants who are involved in different areas of protocol in order to broaden their understanding of operational, government and international protocol.
The CAP cancer protocols are developed in a multidisciplinary fashion with multiple layers of review before approval.