What is the defining characteristic of UDP in data transmission?

The defining characteristic of UDP (User Datagram Protocol) in data transmission is that it sends data packets in one way with no confirmation. This means that UDP is a connectionless protocol, which is efficient for applications that require fast transmission of data without the overhead of establishing a connection or ensuring that every packet is received.

This approach is ideal for scenarios where speed is more critical than reliability, such as streaming video or audio, online gaming, or real-time applications, where some packet loss can be tolerated. The lack of acknowledgment from the receiver means that UDP does not introduce latency associated with confirming receipt of packets, allowing for quicker data transmission.

In contrast to more reliable protocols like TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), UDP does not provide features like error recovery or delivery guarantees, making it a simpler and faster option for specific use cases.