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    Negative Acknowledgment (NACK)

    Web design & developmentNegative AcknowledgmentNAK
    Reading time: 2 min.Editorially reviewed on:

    Definition

    A NACK reports a failed transmission or processing.

    A protocol message indicating that data or an operation was not correctly received or executed.

    Simply explained

    The receiver essentially says: This did not arrive correctly or did not work.

    Why it matters in practice

    Helps develop and operate digital systems robustly, securely, and maintainably.

    Example from business

    A receiver requests a retransmission after a corrupted packet.

    Limits and pitfalls

    • Accepting NACK support even though the specific protocol handles errors differently.

    Origin & history

    ACK/NACK mechanisms are part of many communication and transmission protocols.

    Use in mid-sized companies

    • Possible example: A receiver requests a retransmission after a corrupted packet.

    Frequently asked questions

    What does Negative Acknowledgement (NACK) mean?

    A protocol message indicating that data or an operation was not correctly received or executed.

    What should one pay attention to?

    Accepting NACK support even though the specific protocol handles errors differently.

    Sources

    Source verified on 10.10.2026. Editorial application examples are hypothetical; no evidence of real customer results.

    Editorially reviewed on:

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