Computer network programming

In this article, we will explore Computer network programming and its impact on modern society in detail. Computer network programming has been a topic of discussion and study for years, and its effects can be seen in different aspects of daily life. From its origin to its current influence, Computer network programming has shaped the way we interact, think and behave. Through a comprehensive analysis, we will examine how Computer network programming has evolved over time and what implications it has for the future. This article will provide a deep and insightful view on Computer network programming and its relevance in the contemporary world.

Computer network programming involves writing computer programs that enable processes to communicate with each other across a computer network.[1]

Connection-oriented and connectionless communications

Very generally, most of communications can be divided into connection-oriented, and connectionless. Whether a communication is connection-oriented or connectionless, is defined by the communication protocol, and not by application programming interface (API). Examples of the connection-oriented protocols include Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Sequenced Packet Exchange (SPX), and examples of connectionless protocols include User Datagram Protocol (UDP), "raw IP", and Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX).

Clients and servers

For connection-oriented communications, communication parties usually have different roles. One party is usually waiting for incoming connections; this party is usually referred to as "server". Another party is the one which initiates connection; this party is usually referred to as "client".

For connectionless communications, one party ("server") is usually waiting for an incoming packet, and another party ("client") is usually understood as the one which sends an unsolicited packet to "server".

Network programming traditionally covers different layers of OSI/ISO model (most of application-level programming belongs to L4 and up). The table below contains some examples of popular protocols belonging to different OSI/ISO layers, and popular APIs for them.

OSI/ISO Layer Protocol API
L3 (network) IP Raw socket
L4 (transport) TCP, UDP, SCTP Berkeley Sockets
L5 (session) TLS OpenSSL
L7 (application) HTTP Various

See also

References

  • W. Richard Stevens: UNIX Network Programming, Volume 1, Second Edition: Networking APIs: Sockets and XTI, Prentice Hall, 1998, ISBN 0-13-490012-X
  1. ^ "Chapter 12 - Network Programming". COMP1406 (PDF). 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-03-05. Network Programming involves writing programs that communicate with other programs across a computer network.