by 
The Curious Bag
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When computers communicate with each other across the internet, there needs to be a set of rules by which they can introduce themselves. This is known as a handshaking protocol.
Where the Term Comes From
When you first meet someone, it is usually polite to shake his hand and introduce yourself. Computers do the same thing when they establish communication, which is defined by a "handshake."
Example
Handshakes occur in almost every form of communication. A good example is the HTTP handshake, in which a client connects to a server and sends a request, and the server responds with the data corresponding to the requested element.
Benefits
Protocol handshakes are a great way to organize communication, since it initiates the transfer of information and negotiates how communication will continue.
Features
Exchange of information in the handshake of a protocol can also tell the server or client what features to use. For example, some clients might not have HTTP 1.1 support, and they send this in the header so that the server uses the properly supported version of HTTP.
Expert Insight
A protocol handshake is also known as a negotiation. Both terms mean the same thing, although the latter is not as common as the former.
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