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Help getting started in network programming

Started by elendil67 Oct 31, 2002 at 9:59 PM 10 replies 900+ views

Original Post

Oct 31, 2002 at 9:59 PM

Hi. I want to try something new, and network programming sounds fun to try. My goal is to create something of a peer-to-peer application, such as an instant messenger or maybe even a file-sharing program. Does anyone know of any resources about how I can go about learning network programming, advice, books, etc.? What should I learn? I was looking at all of this network programming stuff, and it was baffling. TCP/IP, sockets, .NET, WinSock, I have no clue about what to do. Can you please tell me what the basic things of network programming are, and what you would recommend I learn? Any resources about learning network programming, advice, books, explanations about it and what it is, and directions about how to get started would be greatly appreciated. ------------------- The saddest part about Microsoft bashing is that it''s all true.

stodge

Oct 31, 2002 at 10:26 PM

I think the following link is a good place to start. I haven''t been through all of the resources, so I''m not sure if they''re suitable for a beginner, but take a look anyway.

http://www.gamedev.net/reference/list.asp?categoryid=30

Good luck!

elendil67

Author

elendil67

Oct 31, 2002 at 10:27 PM

By the way, what language would be best suited for this? C, Java, Perl?

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The saddest part about Microsoft bashing is that it''s all true.

stodge

Oct 31, 2002 at 10:37 PM

You can probably take your pick of languages. For example, if you know Java, stick to Java. It''s a personal preference.

Pipo DeClown

156

Pipo DeClown

Nov 1, 2002 at 10:09 AM

DirectPlay with Programming RoolePlaying Games with DIrectX seems a good way, Im learning it now, makeing a IM too!

SiCrane

Mod

473

SiCrane

Nov 1, 2002 at 10:35 AM

Winsock 2 by Lewis Napper is a good book for programming TCP/IP under Windows, and to some degree networking in general. It''s starting to show it''s age a little, but the basics haven''t changed, and it comes with quite a bit of source code to help you along.

elendil67

Author

elendil67

Nov 1, 2002 at 4:35 PM

Thanks so far you guys. Anyone else? So let me get this straight: WinSock is for only Windows, so what can I use for other platforms? Is there something for Linux? WinSock is basically sockets for Windows? And most importantly, does anyone have any resources or know of any on how I should get started? Thanks!

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The saddest part about Microsoft bashing is that it''s all true.

SiCrane

Mod

473

SiCrane

Nov 1, 2002 at 10:50 PM

Winsock is the windows implementation of the sockets API, which is the primary networking API used by *NIX operating systems. Basically once you''ve learned one, you''ve learned all you need. The big difference between Winsock and traditional Berkeley sockets is in the emphasis on WSAAsyncSelect() and WSAEventSelect() over the traditional select() function.

elendil67

Author

elendil67

Nov 2, 2002 at 9:56 AM

Thanks for the reply. I was suspecting that maybe WinSock was the same thing. I guess then that I can check out almost any tutorials, UNIX or WinSock, because they probably show you how to initialize in WinSock too. Thanks. Anyone else with tips, pointations to some good tutorials?

SiCrane

Mod

473

SiCrane

Nov 2, 2002 at 7:41 PM

As Stodge linked, gamedev has a selection of networking tutorials. The only one I can attest to the accuracy of is Beej''s, but that''s fairly UNIX specific, i.e. bunches of posix stuff.

elendil67

Author

elendil67

Nov 3, 2002 at 7:04 PM

Thanks! I was thinking of buying that, but now I really want to buy it thanks to you and all of the people who have recommended it to me. The best part (i''m assuming) about that book is probably the fact that it''s $15.

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The saddest part about Microsoft bashing is that it''s all true.

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