Originally developed in 1977 by Ward Christensen, Xmodem is one of the most popular file-transfer protocols. Although Xmodem is a relatively simple protocol, it is fairly effective at detecting errors. It works by sending blocks of data together with a checksum and then waiting for acknowledgment of the block’s receipt. The waiting slows down the rate of data transmission considerably, but it ensures accurate transmission.
Xmodem can be implemented either in software or in hardware. Many modems, and almost all communications software packages, support Xmodem. However, it is useful only at relatively slow data transmission speeds (less than 4,800 bps).
Enhanced versions of Xmodem that work at higher transmission speeds are known as Ymodem and Zmodem.
