TCP vs Apache Thrift

The internet's reliable old workhorse meets the polyglot's duct tape for stitching together services, because sometimes you just need to make java talk to python without the drama. Here's our take.

TCP

Nice Pick

The internet's reliable old workhorse. It'll get your data there, but don't expect it to be fast or flashy.

Pros

• Guaranteed data delivery with error-checking and retransmission
• Maintains packet order for seamless application communication
• Built-in flow control prevents overwhelming slow receivers

Cons

• Connection setup overhead adds latency compared to UDP
• Congestion control can throttle performance in high-traffic networks

Apache Thrift

The polyglot's duct tape for stitching together services, because sometimes you just need to make Java talk to Python without the drama.

Pros

• Cross-language compatibility with support for over 20 programming languages
• Efficient binary protocol for high-performance communication
• Code generation from IDL reduces boilerplate and ensures type safety

Cons

• Steep learning curve for IDL and setup compared to simpler REST APIs
• Limited community and documentation for less popular language bindings

The Verdict

Use TCP if: You want guaranteed data delivery with error-checking and retransmission and can live with connection setup overhead adds latency compared to udp.

Use Apache Thrift if: You prioritize cross-language compatibility with support for over 20 programming languages over what TCP offers.

The Bottom Line

TCP wins

The internet's reliable old workhorse. It'll get your data there, but don't expect it to be fast or flashy.