Explain the W3C WebDriver protocol and its significance in Selenium 4.

The W3C WebDriver protocol is a standardized specification that defines how web browsers should interact with automation tools. Introduced in Selenium 4, it replaces the older JSON Wire Protocol, ensuring better browser compatibility, stability, and security. This protocol allows Selenium commands to communicate directly with modern browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge through their native support, reducing flaky tests and improving automation reliability. Many Selenium training online programs now emphasize the W3C WebDriver protocol as a core topic, given its importance in modern test automation frameworks. Understanding this protocol is essential for anyone working with Selenium 4 today.