nSockets provide an interface for programming
networks at the transport
layer.
nNetwork communication using Sockets is very
much similar to performing
file I/O
nIn fact, socket handle is treated like file
handle.
nThe streams used in file I/O operation are
also applicable to socket-based
I/O
nSocket-based communication is programming
language independent.
nThat means, a socket program written in Java
language can also
communicate to a program written in Java or non-Java socket program.