Service vs. Protocol: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Service is an offering that fulfills a specific need, often provided by one entity to another. Protocol is a set of rules governing the format and transmission of data.
Key Differences
A service is an action or assistance provided to fulfill a need or perform a task, while a protocol is a formal set of rules or procedures, especially in communication or data exchange.
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Nov 11, 2023
Services can be tangible or intangible, such as customer service or online streaming services, whereas protocols are specific guidelines or standards, like Internet protocols.
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Nov 11, 2023
Services are often measured by their quality or effectiveness in satisfying customer needs, while protocols are evaluated based on their efficiency and reliability in data transmission.
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Nov 11, 2023
In technology, services refer to functions or features offered by software or platforms, whereas protocols refer to the rules that govern data exchange within or between systems.
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Nov 11, 2023
Services are designed to provide value or convenience to users, whereas protocols ensure uniformity and compatibility in technical processes or communications.
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Nov 11, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
To fulfill a need or perform a task
To govern communication or data format
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Service and Protocol Definitions
Service
Performance of work or duties for someone.
The company excels in customer service.
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Nov 11, 2023
Protocol
A plan for a scientific experiment or medical treatment.
The research followed a strict protocol.
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Nov 11, 2023
Service
Work that is done for others as an occupation or business
Has done service for us as a consultant.
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Oct 19, 2023
Protocol
The original draft of a diplomatic document.
The protocol outlined the terms of the agreement.
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Nov 11, 2023
Service
The performance of work or duties for a superior or as a servant
Found the butler's service to be excellent.
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Oct 19, 2023
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Protocol
A system of rules in electronic communications.
Secure protocols are essential for online transactions.
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Nov 11, 2023
Service
An act or a variety of work done for others, especially for pay
Offers a superior service to that of his competitors.
Provides full catering services.
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Oct 19, 2023
Protocol
The forms of ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats and heads of state.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
An act of assistance or benefit; a favor
My friend did me a service in fixing the door.
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Oct 19, 2023
Protocol
The first copy of a treaty or other such document before its ratification.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
The serving of food or the manner in which it is served
The service was good, but the food was lousy.
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Oct 19, 2023
Protocol
The plan for a course of medical treatment or for a scientific experiment.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
Employment in duties or work for another, as for a government
Has been in the company's service for 15 years.
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Oct 19, 2023
Protocol
(Computers) A standard procedure for regulating data transmission between computers.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
A government branch or department and its employees
The diplomatic service.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
A department or branch of a hospital staff that provides specified patient care
The anesthesiology service.
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Oct 19, 2023
Protocol
The minutes, or official record, of a negotiation or transaction; especially a document drawn up officially which forms the legal basis for subsequent agreements based on it.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
The armed forces of a nation
Joined the service right after college.
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Oct 19, 2023
Protocol
An official record of a diplomatic meeting or negotiation; later specifically, a draft document setting out agreements to be signed into force by a subsequent formal treaty.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
The installation, maintenance, or repairs provided or guaranteed by a dealer or manufacturer
A dealer with full parts and service.
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Oct 19, 2023
Protocol
The first leaf of a roll of papyrus, or the official mark typically found on such a page.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
The provision to the public of something, especially a utility
A town without sewer service.
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Oct 19, 2023
Protocol
The official formulas which appeared at the beginning or end of certain official documents such as charters, papal bulls etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
The system or equipment used to provide something to the public
The electrical service was damaged in the storm.
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Oct 19, 2023
Protocol
(sciences) The original notes of observations made during an experiment; also, the precise method for carrying out or reproducing a given experiment.
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Oct 19, 2023
Protocol
The official rules and guidelines for heads of state and other dignitaries, governing accepted behaviour in relations with other diplomatic representatives or over affairs of state.
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Oct 19, 2023
Protocol
An accepted code of conduct; acceptable behaviour in a given situation or group.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
A religious rite or formal ceremony
Held services in the evening.
A memorial service.
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Oct 19, 2023
Protocol
(computing) A set of formal rules describing how to transmit or exchange data, especially across a network.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
Copulation with a female animal. Used of male animals, especially studs.
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Oct 19, 2023
Protocol
(medicine) The set of instructions allowing a licensed medical professional to start, modify, or stop a medical or patient care order.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
(Law) The serving of a legal process, such as a summons or court order.
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Oct 19, 2023
Protocol
The original copy of any writing, as of a deed, treaty, dispatch, or other instrument.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
To provide services to
That cable company services most households in the area.
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Oct 19, 2023
Protocol
A preliminary document upon the basis of which negotiations are carried on.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
To copulate with (a female animal). Used of a male animal, especially studs.
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Oct 19, 2023
Protocol
To make or write protocols, or first draughts; to issue protocols.
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Oct 19, 2023
Protocol
(computer science) rules determining the format and transmission of data
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Oct 19, 2023
Protocol
Forms of ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats and heads of state
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
Intended for use in supplying or serving
A service elevator.
The service entrance.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
Offering repairs or maintenance
A service guarantee.
A road service area.
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Protocol
A set of rules governing data transmission.
HTTP is a widely used web protocol.
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Nov 11, 2023
Service
Offering services to the public in response to need or demand
A service industry.
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Oct 19, 2023
Protocol
The official procedure or system of rules.
Diplomatic protocol is complex and important.
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Nov 11, 2023
Service
An act of being of assistance to someone.
I say I did him a service by ending our relationship
– now he can freely pursue his career.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
(economics) The practice of providing such a service as economic activity.
Hair care is a service industry.
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Service
A department in a company, an organization, a government department, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
(computing) A function that is provided by one program or machine for another.
This machine provides the name service for the LAN.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
The state of being subordinate to or employed by an individual or group
Lancelot was at the service of King Arthur.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
A set of dishes or utensils.
She brought out the silver tea service.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
(sports) The act of initially starting, or serving, the ball in play in tennis, volleyball, and other games.
The player had four service faults in the set.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
(legal) The serving, or delivery, of a summons or writ.
The service happened yesterday.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
A taxi shared among unrelated passengers, each of whom pays part of the fare; often, it has a fixed route between cities.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
(nautical) The materials used for serving a rope, etc., such as spun yarn and small lines.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
Access to resources such as hotel rooms and web-based videos without transfer of the resources' ownership.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
(transitive) To perform maintenance.
He is going to service the car.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
A name given to several trees and shrubs of the genus Pyrus, as Pyrus domestica and P. torminalis of Europe, the various species of mountain ash or rowan tree, and the American shad bush (see Shad bush, under Shad). They have clusters of small, edible, applelike berries.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
The act of serving; the occupation of a servant; the performance of labor for the benefit of another, or at another's command; attendance of an inferior, hired helper, slave, etc., on a superior, employer, master, or the like; also, spiritual obedience and love.
Madam, I entreat true peace of you, Which I will purchase with my duteous service.
God requires no man's service upon hard and unreasonable terms.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
The deed of one who serves; labor performed for another; duty done or required; office.
I have served him from the hour of my nativity, . . . and have nothing at his hands for my service but blows.
This poem was the last piece of service I did for my master, King Charles.
To go on the forlorn hope is a service of peril; who will understake it if it be not also a service of honor?
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
Office of devotion; official religious duty performed; religious rites appropriate to any event or ceremonial; as, a burial service.
The outward service of ancient religion, the rites, ceremonies, and ceremonial vestments of the old law.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
Duty performed in, or appropriate to, any office or charge; official function; hence, specifically, military or naval duty; performance of the duties of a soldier.
When he cometh to experience of service abroad . . . ne maketh a worthy soldier.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
Useful office; advantage conferred; that which promotes interest or happiness; benefit; avail.
The stork's plea, when taken in a net, was the service she did in picking up venomous creatures.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
The act and manner of bringing food to the persons who eat it; order of dishes at table; also, a set or number of vessels ordinarily used at table; as, the service was tardy and awkward; a service of plate or glass.
There was no extraordinary service seen on the board.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
The act of bringing to notice, either actually or constructively, in such manner as is prescribed by law; as, the service of a subpŒna or an attachment.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
The materials used for serving a rope, etc., as spun yarn, small lines, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
Work done by one person or group that benefits another;
Budget separately for goods and services
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
A company or agency that performs a public service; subject to government regulation
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
The act of public worship following prescribed rules;
The Sunday service
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
Employment in or work for another;
He retired after 30 years of service
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
The performance of duties by a waiter or servant;
That restaurant has excellent service
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
Periodic maintenance on a car or machine;
It was time for an overhaul on the tractor
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
Tableware consisting of a complete set of articles (silver or dishware) for use at table
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
(sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play;
His powerful serves won the game
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
The act of delivering a writ or summons upon someone;
He accepted service of the subpoena
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
Canadian writer (born in England) who wrote about life in the Yukon Territory (1874-1958)
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
The act of mating by male animals;
The bull was worth good money in servicing fees
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
(law) the acts performed by an English feudal tenant for the benefit of his lord which formed the consideration for the property granted to him
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
Be used by; as of a utility;
The sewage plant served the neighboring communities
The garage served to shelter his horses
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
Make fit for use;
Service my truck
The washing machine needs to be serviced
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Oct 19, 2023
Service
A system supplying a public need.
The city's bus service is very efficient.
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Nov 11, 2023
Service
A ceremony of religious worship.
Sunday service at the church is at 10 am.
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Nov 11, 2023
Service
The action of helping or working for someone.
He has dedicated years of service to the community.
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Nov 11, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can a protocol be part of a service?
Yes, protocols often underpin the technical aspects of a service.
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Nov 11, 2023
What is a protocol in technology?
In technology, a protocol is a set of rules for data format and transmission.
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Nov 11, 2023
Can a service exist without a protocol?
Yes, services can exist independently of protocols, particularly in non-technical contexts.
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Nov 11, 2023
Is customer service a type of service?
Yes, customer service is a key example of service in business.
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Nov 11, 2023
Do services always involve human interaction?
Not necessarily; services can be automated or digital, like streaming services.
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Nov 11, 2023
What’s an example of a non-technical service?
Housecleaning is an example of a non-technical service.
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Nov 11, 2023
What defines a service?
A service is an action or series of actions performed to benefit someone else.
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Nov 11, 2023
Are protocols always related to computers?
No, protocols can also refer to procedures in various fields like diplomacy or medicine.
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Nov 11, 2023
How important are protocols in online services?
Protocols are crucial in online services for ensuring secure and efficient data exchange.
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Are protocols subject to change?
Yes, protocols evolve with technological advancements and changing standards.
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Nov 11, 2023
What’s an example of a digital service?
Online banking is an example of a digital service.
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Nov 11, 2023
Can services be personalized?
Yes, many services are tailored to individual needs or preferences.
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Nov 11, 2023
Are protocols mandatory in communications?
For effective and secure communication, following the set protocols is essential.
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Nov 11, 2023
Do protocols ensure compatibility?
Yes, protocols are designed to ensure compatibility and interoperability in systems.
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Nov 11, 2023
Is a service always paid for?
Not always; services can be paid, voluntary, or part of a social contract.
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Nov 11, 2023
Can protocols vary between countries?
Yes, especially in areas like diplomatic protocol, variations between countries are common.
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Nov 11, 2023
What is a service provider?
A service provider is an entity that offers services to consumers or businesses.
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Nov 11, 2023
Are there protocols in customer service?
Yes, customer service often follows certain protocols to ensure consistency and quality.
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Nov 11, 2023
How are protocols developed?
Protocols are developed through consensus among experts, often in standardized bodies.
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Nov 11, 2023
How do protocols impact internet usage?
Protocols determine how data is transmitted and received over the internet, impacting its functionality and security.
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Nov 11, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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