PCPP2 Network Programming Practice Question
When handling TCP streams, why might recv(1024) return fewer than 1024 bytes even if the sender sent more?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
TCP is a stream protocol; it does not guarantee message boundaries.
TCP is a stream-oriented protocol, not a message-oriented one. Data is delivered based on buffer availability and segmentation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The packet was dropped due to network congestion.
Why it's wrong here
TCP handles retransmission automatically.
- ✓
TCP is a stream protocol; it does not guarantee message boundaries.
Why this is correct
recv() returns whatever data is currently in the receive buffer, not necessarily the full message.
- ✗
The socket was set to non-blocking mode.
Why it's wrong here
Non-blocking would raise an exception (EWOULDBLOCK) rather than returning partial data.
- ✗
The OS limited the receive window size.
Why it's wrong here
While true, the primary reason for partial reads is the stream nature of the protocol.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every PCPP2 question from scratch — 194 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official Python Institute exam blueprint
This PCPP2 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Python Institute certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PCPP2 exam.