Hey everyone! I'm on the lookout for resources to help me learn network programming, specifically creating TCP sockets and maybe even a simple HTTP server. I've skimmed through some HTTP libraries for languages like Java, C, JavaScript, and Gleam, but I'm not quite sure how to actually use them to build something. I have a basic understanding of computer networking concepts, including the OSI layers and HTTP, but I want to take a hands-on approach. Any advice for a newbie would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
It's awesome that you want to dive into this! A lot of budding programmers end up writing a simple HTTP server during their studies, often in C. I’d suggest implementing HTTP 1.0 because it’s simpler. There’s something really satisfying about seeing your web browser communicate with a server you created. Just make sure to understand ports, sockets, and addresses; these concepts are crucial, and they'll help as you switch languages. Also, check out 'Computer Networks' by Andrew Tanenbaum for more in-depth knowledge.
You should definitely check out Beej's Guide to Network Programming. It's a fantastic resource that breaks down socket programming in a really clear way. For creating an HTTP server, I’d recommend starting with a simple one in Python—its syntax is much easier for beginners—before tackling C when you're more comfortable with the concepts.
If you want to get the basics down, you could look into Codecrafters. I played around with their HTTP Server course when it was available for free. They offer some really quality programming courses, but they can be pricey. They usually have one free course each month, so you might want to give it a shot then!
Try searching for a "BSD sockets tutorial"; you'll find plenty of helpful resources there. BSD sockets come from the origins of the BSD UNIX operating systems, so these tutorials are very applicable to other systems too. FreeBSD and NetBSD wikis have some great information!

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