Why Most Developers Shouldn't Write Their Own Networking Protocols
When it comes to networking protocols, the age-old adage “don’t reinvent the wheel” is more pertinent than ever. While the allure of crafting a custom networking protocol from scratch can be tempting, it’s a path fraught with pitfalls that can lead even the most seasoned developers down a rabbit hole of complexity and frustration. The Complexity of Networking Protocols Networking protocols, such as TCP and UDP, are the backbone of the internet. They have been refined over decades to handle the intricacies of data transmission, including packet loss, duplication, and out-of-order delivery. For instance, UDP, despite its simplicity, requires careful handling to ensure reliable data transfer, which is why many applications layer additional reliability mechanisms on top of it. ...