Which of the following is an example of a network protocol?

The correct answer, TCP/IP, is a fundamental network protocol that serves as the backbone of the internet. TCP/IP, which stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, is a suite of communication protocols used for interconnecting network devices on the internet. It establishes the rules and conventions for communication and data exchange between computers and other devices over a network.

Understanding TCP/IP is crucial as it enables reliable transmission of data packets across networks, ensuring that information sent from one device arrives accurately at its destination. It breaks down large messages into smaller packets for efficient travel and reassembles them upon arrival, making it essential for tasks such as web browsing, email, and file sharing.

In contrast, HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is a markup language used for creating and structuring web content; JavaScript is a programming language primarily used to make web pages interactive; and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is used for styling HTML elements. While these technologies are essential for web development and design, they do not define network protocols. Their role is more focused on content presentation and scripting rather than managing how data is transmitted across networks.