Why do C or C++ books not contain anything on networking?

Question

I've just been looking at the following books: -K&R C -The Complete Reference C++ -The Complete Reference C -Deitel How to Program C -Deitel How to Program C++

and not one of them contains any networking, how to create sockets etc. Is there any 'definitive' reference for C network programming? Google wasn't particularly helpful.

I'm probably considering windows and unix platforms

because C are C++ are programming languages. networking is one such area where they are used. — A. K., Jul 30 '11 at 22:55
"Why do car factory service manuals not contain anything about driving?" — Billy ONeal, Jul 30 '11 at 23:01

score 16 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 30 '11 at 22:54

16

"C books" usually describe the language and the standard library. Sockets aren't in the standard library.

If you want a good book on sockets, UNP by Stevens is arguably the best.

answered Jul 30 '11 at 22:54

cnicutar

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The Stevens books are widely considered the "Bible" on sockets. – wadesworld Jul 30 '11 at 22:58
Also look at the Beej guide on network programming (http://beej.us/guide/bgnet/) for a quick overview or tutorial. – yasouser Jul 30 '11 at 22:58
so if i wanted to do socket programming I would have to install a 3rd party library of some sort? – Paul Jul 30 '11 at 23:10
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no - usually your OS comes with necessary library pre-installed... – Yahia Jul 30 '11 at 23:21

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 30 '11 at 22:56

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I agree with cnicutar's answer...

If you need a good starting point - see http://beej.us/guide/bgnet/output/html/multipage/index.html

answered Jul 30 '11 at 22:56

Yahia

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score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 30 '11 at 23:00

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The C/C++ is a language, and the networking is not part of the language, and that is the why

If you do

   man 2 accept
   man 2 select
   man 2 connect
   man 2 recv
   man 2 send

you will see template code and references needed for most of your TCP networking need

answered Jul 30 '11 at 23:00

Soren

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If you're on Linux, of course. – Nicol Bolas Jul 31 '11 at 00:08
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even if your not on linux, then a google search on "man select" will provide you the man page.... – Soren Jul 31 '11 at 00:32
If you find that overly complicated, then check out ZeroMQ instead. It's a supersocket library based on messages which is much easier to work with than plain low-level sockets. – Michael Dillon Jul 31 '11 at 02:42

Why do C or C++ books not contain anything on networking?

3 Answers3