Network Programming Notes

In computing, network programming, essentially identical to socket programming or client-server programming, involves writing computer programs that communicate with other programs across a computer network. The program or process initiating the communication is called a client process, and the program waiting for the communication to be initiated is the server process. The client and server processes together form a distributed system. The communication between the client and server process may either be connection-oriented (such as an established TCP virtual circuit or session), or connectionless (based on UDP datagrams).

A program that can act both as a client and a server is based on peer-to-peer communication.

Sockets are usually implemented by an API library such as Berkeley sockets, first introduced in 1983. Most implementations are based on Berkeley sockets, for example Winsock introduced 1991. Other socket API implementations exist, such as the STREAMS-based Transport Layer Interface (TLI).