connection-oriented
     
         or connection-based, stream-oriented.  a type
        of transport layer data communication service that allows a
        host to send data in a continuous stream to another host.
        the transport service will guarantee that all data will be
        delivered to the other end in the same order as sent and
        without duplication.  communication proceeds through three
        well-defined phases: connection establishment, data transfer,
        connection release.  the most common example is transmission
        control protocol tcp.
     
        opposite of connectionless, datagram.  see also circuit
        switching, packet switching, virtual circuit.
     
     
see also:
transport layer host transmission control protocol connectionless datagram circuit switching 
packet switching virtual circuit