What defines a datagram in networking?

The definition of a datagram in networking revolves around its function as an independent and self-contained message. A datagram is formatted data that is sent over a network without requiring a prior connection to the receiver, making it suitable for connectionless communication protocols like UDP (User Datagram Protocol). Each datagram carries all the necessary information, such as the sender's and receiver's addresses and the message payload itself, ensuring it can be routed through the network independently.

This independence means that datagrams can take different paths to reach their destination, enabling more efficient use of network resources and less reliance on continuous connections. This is particularly useful in scenarios with varying network traffic and for applications that can tolerate some level of data loss, like live streaming or online gaming.

In contrast, other definitions such as those associated with protocols for efficient data transfer, methods for data encoding, or devices for signal amplification do not accurately capture the core essence of a datagram and its purpose within network communications.