CoAP
In plain terms
A lightweight web-transfer protocol for constrained devices.
Going deeper
Constrained Application Protocol brings REST-like interactions to tiny IoT devices over UDP with minimal overhead. It's HTTP shrunk for sensors.
Under the hood
Runs over UDP with optional reliability; suits low-power, lossy networks where HTTP is too heavy.
Examples
IoT devices, sensor networks, constrained environments, smart devices.
Think of it like...
Like a miniature version of HTTP designed for the smallest gadgets.