Computer Networks and Programming

Network Programming

• Network programming is a field of computer programming focused on writing software that communicates over a network.
• It enables computers to exchange data and information, allowing them to work together and share resources.

Types of Networks

• Local Area Networks (LANs) link computers located in close proximity to one another.
• Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) can interconnect devices in an entire city.
• Wide Area Networks (WANs) can cover entire countries or the whole world.
• The internet is the largest WAN network.

Network Programming Aspects

• Socket programming involves creating, binding, connecting, sending, and receiving data through network sockets.
• Client-server architecture involves designing both the client and server sides of an application.
• Protocols require an understanding of various networking protocols like HTTP, FTP, SMTP, etc.
• Concurrency and parallelism involve handling multiple connections simultaneously using techniques like threading or asynchronous programming.
• Security measures need to be implemented to protect data transmitted over the network, including encryption, authentication, and other techniques.

Python in Network Programming

• Python is a versatile language often used for network programming due to its simplicity, readability, and extensive libraries.
• Python's standard library includes modules for working with various network protocols, making it well-suited for developing networked applications.

Key Python Libraries and Modules

• Socket module provides a low-level interface for network communication.
• Requests library simplifies making HTTP requests, making it easy to interact with web services and APIs.
• Scapy is a powerful packet manipulation tool and library for Python, allowing you to forge, dissect, send, and capture network packets.