In computer networking, a stream socket is a type of internet socket which provides a connection-oriented, sequenced, and unduplicated flow of data without record boundaries, with well-defined mechanisms for creating and destroying connections and for detecting errors.
This internet socket type transmits data on a reliable basis, in order, and with out-of-band capabilities.
Traditionally, stream sockets are implemented on top of TCP so that applications can run across any networks using TCP/IP protocol. SCTP can also be used for stream sockets.