Stream socket

In computer operating systems, a stream socket is a type of interprocess communications socket or network socket which provides a connection-oriented, sequenced, and unique flow of data without record boundaries, with well-defined mechanisms for creating and destroying connections and for detecting errors.

A stream socket transmits data reliably, in order, and with out-of-band capabilities.

On the Internet, stream sockets are typically implemented on top of so that applications can run across any networks using TCP/ . SCTP may also be used for stream sockets.

...
Wikipedia