What is meant by hand-shaking protocol?

A handshaking protocol is a method used in communication systems to establish a connection between two devices before they begin to transmit data. It typically involves a series of predefined signals or messages exchanged between the devices to confirm readiness, compatibility, and agreement on communication parameters. This process helps ensure that both parties are synchronized and can communicate effectively, reducing the likelihood of errors during data transmission. Common examples include TCP handshakes in networking and Bluetooth pairing.