What is the data transmission standard for the Internet that enables packet delivery to specific computers?

The Internet Protocol (IP) is the fundamental standard that governs how data is transmitted over the Internet. It defines the addressing system that ensures packets of data can be transmitted between various devices on a network and reach their intended destinations. Each device connected to the Internet is assigned a unique IP address, which acts like an identifier that specifies the exact location of a device among millions of others. When data is sent over the Internet, it is broken down into smaller packets. Each packet contains the IP address of the source and the destination, allowing routers and other network devices to determine the most efficient path for delivery.

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), while essential for ensuring reliable communication and controlling the flow of data, works in conjunction with IP. TCP is responsible for establishing a connection and ensuring data integrity, but it does not by itself facilitate the addressing and routing functions needed for specific packet delivery. Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and File Transfer Protocol (FTP) are application-layer protocols designed for specific functions—web browsing and file sharing, respectively—but do not deal directly with the underlying data transmission framework as IP does. Therefore, the correct choice regarding the standard that enables packet delivery to specific computers is indeed the Internet Protocol (IP).