C++ Networking API Options

[darkrunic]

Hi there,

Im looking for some opinions about the choices for Networking APIs available to a C++ .Net programmer. Mainly, Im looking for a comparison of speed and ease of use, though any other pertinant information would also be greatly appreciated. I remember that way back in the day, DirectPlay was a pile, but its been a long time since I looked into it and DirectX has come a long way since then. Ive also heard people say that SDL is the way to go. Are there any other contenders? Anyway, thanks much!

Brian

 

[Derek Stone]

Unless you produce a kernel-mode driver youre not going to see much, if any, speed differences between various options. The network will always be the bottleneck, as various case studies have shown with SQL Server and IIS 6.

You can use System.Net.Sockets or the Win32 Winsock API and see a minimal speed difference but a huge ease-of-development difference when it comes to the System.Net.Sockets namespace, which is vastly easier to work with.

Remember: the BCL is there. Either use it or head back to unmanaged C++.

 

[darkrunic]

Hey, thanks a ton! Im really new to using Mananged Extentions and Im not really familiar with what all it can do. Thanks!

Brian