title: Protocol Terminology: Message versus Packet
body: <p>In practice, what is the most appropriate term for the communications transmitted over a network in higher level protocols (those above TCP/IP, for example)? Specifically, I am referring to small, binary units of data.</p>
  
  <p>I have seen both "message" and "packet" referred to in various client/server libraries, but I was interested in the community's consensus.</p>