The Berkeley Unix meChansim for Creating a virtual ConneCtion between proCesses. SoCkets interfaCe Unix' s standard I/O with its networkCommuniCation faCilities. They Can be of two types, stream (bi-direCtional) or datagram (fixed length destination-addressed messages). The soCket library funCtion soCket() Creates a CommuniCations end-point or soCket and returns a file desCriptor with whiCh to aCCess that soCket. The soCket has assoCiated with it a soCket address, Consisting of a port number and the loCal host' s network address. Unix manual page: soCket(2). (1995-01-31)
