Does User Datagram Protocol (UDP) require all packets to be available for a file to be viewed?

User Datagram Protocol (UDP) operates as a connectionless protocol, meaning it does not require all packets to arrive for a file or stream to be viewed. UDP is designed for speed and efficiency, often used in scenarios where timely delivery is more critical than ensuring that every single packet reaches its destination.

For example, in streaming media or online gaming, UDP allows data to be transmitted quickly, and if some packets are lost along the way, the system can still function adequately by receiving the available packets. This characteristic enables continuous data flow and minimizes latency, which is particularly important in real-time applications. Therefore, the operation of UDP aligns with the answer that it does not require all packets to be available for complete file access.