Developing Programs Using Windows Sockets

The Windows Sockets API is an open, public specification based on the Berkeley (BSD) Sockets APIs that are a de facto standard for UNIX network programming. Because the Windows Sockets API is similar to the Berkeley Sockets API, UNIX applications can be easily ported to the Windows NT Server, Windows NT Workstation, and Windows 95 platforms.

Note

Developers can also use the protocol-independent Windows Sockets API to develop programs for the AppleTalk stack, the underlying mechanism that allows Windows NT Servers using Services for Macintosh to share files and printers with Macintosh networks.

The Windows Sockets standard allows a developer to create a program with a single common interface and a single executable that can run over many types of TCP/IP implementations. The Windows Sockets API provides the following:

• A familiar networking API for programmers using Windows NT Server, Windows NT Workstation, Windows 95, Windows 3.11 or higher, and UNIX.

• Binary compatibility between vendors for heterogeneous Windows-based TCP/IP stacks and utilities.

• Support for both connection-oriented and connectionless protocols.

Windows Sockets version 2.0 provides a clean architecture for plugging in service providers. Specifications for the next generation of Windows Sockets version 2.0 and earlier versions are available from the Internet, and in the Microsoft Win32 Software Developers Kit.

To get current Windows Sockets information from the Microsoft Developers Network

· Connect to: //www.microsoft.com/intdev/inttech/winsock.htm

To get a copy of the specification for the next generation of Windows Sockets, Windows Sockets version 2.0

· Connect to: //www.stardust.com/wsresource/winsock2

Or, connect to: //www.intel.com/IAL/winsock2

To get a copy of the Windows Sockets specifications by using anonymous FTP

1. Make sure you have write permission in your current working directory.

2. At the command prompt, start ftp, and then connect to ftp.microsoft.com
(or 198.105.232.1).

3. Log on as anonymous.

4. Type your electronic mail address for the password.

5. Type cd \bussys\winsock\spec11, and then press ENTER.

6. Use the dir command to see the list of available file types.

If you want binary data such as in the Microsoft Word version, type bin, and then press ENTER.

To subscribe to the Windows Sockets mailing list

· Send electronic mail to listserv@sunsite.unc.edu with a message body that contains subscribe winsock your email-address.

You can use the same procedure to subscribe to additional mailing lists called winsock-hackers and winsock-users.