Message Switching
Message switching is a network communication technique where data is transmitted as discrete, complete messages that are stored and forwarded through intermediate nodes. Each message includes a header with destination information, allowing it to be routed independently through the network. This approach contrasts with circuit switching, as it does not require a dedicated end-to-end connection.
Developers should learn message switching for designing distributed systems, IoT applications, and legacy network protocols where reliability and asynchronous communication are priorities. It is particularly useful in scenarios with intermittent connectivity, such as satellite networks or store-and-forward email systems, as messages can be queued and retransmitted if needed.