UDP is a packet oriented network protocol (technically
the '''U'''ser '''D'''atagram '''P'''rotocol; datagrams are an older name for packets).
This is the datagram partner to the stream oriented [TCP].
UDP is often called "unreliable". This only means that the user is responsible for
handling dropped or corrupted packets. UDP is often used when the loss of a packet
is relativlely harmless. An example might be a "You have mail" server that sends UDP
packets every 30 seconds when there is unread mail. When you find yourself adding code to
account for dropped or corrupted packets or packets arriving out of order,
it is a sure sign that you should be using TCP in the first place.

Also see “[UDP for Tcl]”

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