Which of the following is/are example(s) of stateful application layer protocols? (i) HTTP (ii) FTP (iii) TCP (iv) POP3
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GATE CSE 2016 Set 1 · Q25
MCQ1 markMedium
Time
Which of the following is/are example(s) of stateful application layer protocols? (i) HTTP (ii) FTP (iii) TCP (iv) POP3
Select one answerSingle correct
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Solution
Step-by-step verified solution
Official answer: C) (ii) and (iv) only
DNS and HTTPTo identify the stateful application layer protocols:
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): An application layer protocol, but it is stateless (by default, each request/response transaction is independent).
FTP (File Transfer Protocol): An application layer protocol that maintains session state (such as the current working directory and user authentication) across control connections, making it stateful.
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol): A stateful connection-oriented protocol, but it operates at the transport layer, not the application layer.
POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3): An application layer protocol that maintains state across distinct phases (AUTHORIZATION, TRANSACTION, and UPDATE), making it stateful.
Thus, the stateful *application layer* protocols are (ii) FTP and (iv) POP3.
Hence, the correct option is (C).
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Examiner trap
The misconception this question tests
Pay close attention to both criteria: the protocol must operate at the Application layer and must maintain state across commands/requests.
This DNS and HTTP previous year question is Q25 of the GATE CSE 2016 Set 1 paper. Find more GATE CSE PYQs on DNS and HTTP in Computer Networks, or browse all GATE CSE PYQs.
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DNS and HTTP in GATE CSE
DNS and HTTP has 18 GATE CSE PYQs across 15 papers from 2011 to 2026. 13 of them are 1-mark MCQs like this one, and GATE CSE 2016 Set 1 has 2.
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Independent practice explanation verified by the GateAI team. GATE is conducted by the IITs; question text follows the official paper.