(libc.info.gz) Communication Styles

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 16.2 Communication Styles
 =========================
 
 The GNU library includes support for several different kinds of sockets,
 each with different characteristics.  This section describes the
 supported socket types.  The symbolic constants listed here are defined
 in `sys/socket.h'.  
 
  -- Macro: int SOCK_STREAM
      The `SOCK_STREAM' style is like a pipe ( Pipes and FIFOs).
      It operates over a connection with a particular remote socket and
      transmits data reliably as a stream of bytes.
 
      Use of this style is covered in detail in  Connections.
 
  -- Macro: int SOCK_DGRAM
      The `SOCK_DGRAM' style is used for sending individually-addressed
      packets unreliably.  It is the diametrical opposite of
      `SOCK_STREAM'.
 
      Each time you write data to a socket of this kind, that data
      becomes one packet.  Since `SOCK_DGRAM' sockets do not have
      connections, you must specify the recipient address with each
      packet.
 
      The only guarantee that the system makes about your requests to
      transmit data is that it will try its best to deliver each packet
      you send.  It may succeed with the sixth packet after failing with
      the fourth and fifth packets; the seventh packet may arrive before
      the sixth, and may arrive a second time after the sixth.
 
      The typical use for `SOCK_DGRAM' is in situations where it is
      acceptable to simply re-send a packet if no response is seen in a
      reasonable amount of time.
 
       Datagrams, for detailed information about how to use
      datagram sockets.
 
  -- Macro: int SOCK_RAW
      This style provides access to low-level network protocols and
      interfaces.  Ordinary user programs usually have no need to use
      this style.
 

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