Packet

A packet is a formatted unit of data transmitted over a network or communication channel. It contains both the actual data payload and control information such as source and destination addresses, sequence numbers, and error-checking codes. Packets enable reliable data transmission by allowing large messages to be broken into smaller, manageable chunks that can be sent independently and reassembled at the destination. This packet-based approach is fundamental to modern networking protocols like Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Internet communications.