DCCP, or Datagram Congestion Control Protocol, is a transport layer protocol designed to manage data transmission over networks. It is particularly useful for applications that require reliable delivery of data, such as streaming media or online gaming. DCCP helps prevent network congestion by adjusting the rate of data transmission based on current network conditions. Unlike traditional protocols like TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), DCCP does not guarantee delivery of packets, making it more suitable for applications where timely delivery is more important than complete accuracy. This flexibility allows for smoother performance in environments with varying network quality.