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Protocol vs Program - What's the difference?

protocol | program |

In computing terms the difference between protocol and program

is that protocol is a set of formal rules describing how to transmit or exchange data, especially across a network while program is a software application, or a collection of software applications, designed to perform a specific task.

As nouns the difference between protocol and program

is that protocol is the minutes, or official record, of a negotiation or transaction; especially a document drawn up officially which forms the legal basis for subsequent agreements based on it while program is a set of structured activities.

As verbs the difference between protocol and program

is that protocol is to make a protocol of while program is to enter a program or other instructions into (a computer or other electronic device) to instruct it to do a particular task.

protocol

Noun

(en noun)
  • * 1842 , Thomas Campbell, Frederick the Great and his Times , vol. II, p. 47:
  • Another account says that, on the morning of the 31st of May, the king delivered to the prince-royal the crown, the sceptre, and the key of his treasure and gave him his blessing. The privy-counsillor Vockerodt drew up at his desire a protocol of the transaction.
  • * 1970 , Matthew Smith Anderson, The Great Powers and the Near East, 1774-1923 , p. 32:
  • The terms of this protocol formed the basis for the Treaty of London signed by the British, French and Russian governments on 6 July 1827.
  • (international law) An amendment to an official treaty.
  • * 2002 , Philippe Sands, Principles of International Environmental Law , p. 917 n. 253:
  • The 1992 Protocol amended the definitions of other terms, including ‘ship’, ‘oil’ and ‘incident’: Art. 2.
  • The first leaf of a roll of papyrus, or the official mark typically found on such a page.
  • * 1991 , Leila Avrin, Scribes, Script, and Books , p. 146:
  • They marked the beginning of each scroll with their protocol''''', a practice that continued in the papyrus trade in the Byzantine Empire [...] into the Islamic period, when there were bilingual ' protocols in Greek and Arabic.
  • The official formulas which appeared at the beginning or end of certain official documents such as charters, papal bulls etc.
  • * 1985 , Archivum Historiae Pontificiae , v. 23, p. 14:
  • The protocol of the bull contains elements that appear to be formulaic by the time of John XVIII 's pontificate.
  • (sciences) The original notes of observations made during an experiment; also, the precise method for carrying out or reproducing a given experiment.
  • * 1931 , Gye & Purdy, The Cause of Cancer , p. 194:
  • The following is an abstract of the protocol of the experiment: Tumour extract. —A measured 16 c.c. of minced Rous Sarcoma tissue was ground with sand and extracted with 400 c.c. of 0.8-per-cent. saline.
  • The official rules and guidelines for heads of state and other dignitaries, governing accepted behaviour in relations with other diplomatic representatives or over affairs of state.
  • * 2009 , Laura Johnson, "A mwah too far", The Guardian , 19 Sep 2009:
  • Even the Queen (for whom the curtsey is a more standard address) was recently treated to an enthusiastic Obama embrace. Her Majesty, who is not normally known for partaking in such public displays of affection, seemed unperturbed by Michelle Obama's disregard for royal protocol .
  • (by extension) An accepted code of conduct; acceptable behaviour in a given situation or group.
  • * 2010 , The Guardian , 16 Jul 2010:
  • For those uncertain in the protocol of handshaking a formula for the perfect handshake has been devised by scientists at the University of Manchester.
  • (computing) A set of formal rules describing how to transmit or exchange data, especially across a network.
  • * 2006 , Zheng & Ni, Smart Phone and Next-Generation Mobile Computing , p. 444:
  • An exception is Jabber, which is designed based on an open protocol called the extensible messaging and presence protocol (XMPP).
  • (medicine) The set of instructions allowing a licensed medical professional to start, modify, or stop a medical or patient care order.
  • Synonyms

    * procedure * policy

    Verb

  • (obsolete) To make a protocol of.
  • (obsolete) To make or write protocols, or first drafts; to issue protocols.
  • (Carlyle)

    Anagrams

    * ----

    program

    English

    Alternative forms

    * programme (see usage notes)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A set of structured activities.
  • :
  • A leaflet listing information about a play, game or other activity.
  • :
  • A performance of a show or other broadcast on radio or television.
  • :
  • (lb) A software application, or a collection of software applications, designed to perform a specific task.
  • :
  • A particular mindset or method of doing things.
  • *Ellis in the movie Die Hard
  • *:Come on, John, why don’t you get with the program and tell him where the detonators are?
  • Usage notes

    * Usage of program'' and ''programme : ** US: program is the only spelling normally used. ** UK: programme'' is used in all cases except for computer code, in which case ''program'' is generally used. Older sources may use ''programme for computer code. ** Canada: both program'' and ''programme'' are used, but ''programme is more common. ** Australia: program'' is endorsed by the Australian government, but ''programme is most common. ** New Zealand: programme'' is favoured by New Zealand dictionaries, and is endorsed by government usage; ''program is rarely seen outside the computing meaning.

    Synonyms

    * (leaflet): playbill (for a play ) * (software application): application

    Derived terms

    * programme block * program counter * program evaluation and review technique * program guide * program music * program slicer * program trading

    Verb

    (programm)
  • To enter a program or other instructions into (a computer or other electronic device) to instruct it to do a particular task.
  • * He programmed the DVR to record his favorite show.
  • To develop (software) by writing program code.
  • I programmed a small game as a demonstration.
  • To put together the schedule of an event.
  • * Mary will program Tuesday’s festivities.
  • To cause to automatically behave in a particular way.
  • * The lab rat was programmed to press the lever when the bell rang.