TCP - what is the best way to transfer data?

Question

C++ / C#

Good afternoon! What is the best way to transfer data over TCP protocol? Maybe JSON, or maybe something else.
PS The game is not realtime, rather turn-based. Server in C++

Answer 1

Speaking about TCP, they mean more a socket, where you simply transfer data as a binary packet, you come up with a format, a packer and a parser yourself, while the packet size can be much smaller than JSON or other text.
JSON is commonly used in text-based protocols such as http,
but you can also send plain text.

Answer 2

It is possible as an option to make your own data package.
For example, with this structure:

• Packet length
  
• Operation code (depending on it, you do different actions)
  
• Package body