What is the key feature of the User Datagram Protocol (UDP)?

The User Datagram Protocol (UDP) is characterized by its ability to provide lower latency compared to the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). This is primarily due to the way UDP operates; it does not establish a connection before sending data and does not require handshakes or acknowledgments for packet delivery. As a result, data can be transmitted more quickly, making UDP ideal for applications where speed is more critical than reliability, such as live streaming, online gaming, or voice over IP (VoIP).

This lack of connection-oriented features means that while UDP sacrifices reliability and ordered delivery, it allows for faster transmission of data, thus achieving lower latency. This is beneficial in scenarios where receiving the most current data is more important than ensuring every single packet is delivered accurately or in order. Therefore, the key feature of UDP is its ability to offer lower latency, which differentiates it from other protocols that emphasize reliability and delivery guarantees.