What protocol is considered stateless and uses TCP for server-client communication?

The correct response identifies HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) as the protocol that is stateless and uses TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) for server-client communication.

HTTP is designed for transmitting hypertext across the web, and it operates on a request-response basis. Each request from a client (such as a web browser) to a server is treated independently of others, which is the hallmark of stateless communication. This means that the server does not retain any information about previous requests from the same client, allowing for a simpler and more efficient protocol design.

TCP, on the other hand, provides a reliable, connection-oriented service that is essential for HTTP to ensure that data is transmitted correctly and in the proper order. Together, HTTP and TCP allow for the effective delivery of web content where each request can be handled without the need for the server to store session information between requests.

In the context of other protocols listed, IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) and SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) are stateful in the sense that they maintain session information relevant to email management and transfer. SSH (Secure Shell) is also stateful as it maintains a secure session for remote command execution. This difference highlights why HTTP is identified specifically as stateless in this context