What is MCP

Model Context Protocol overview — why it exists, what problem it solves, and how it differs from raw function calling.

What You Will Learn

• The problem MCP solves: consistent tool connectivity for LLMs
• MCP vs function calling: what is different
• The open standard: who maintains it and why it matters
• What you can connect via MCP: files, databases, APIs, services
• MCP in Claude Code vs Claude Desktop — same protocol, different hosts