TCP Programming in Java - 18.3 | 18. Network Programming | Advanced Programming
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Introduction to TCP

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Teacher
Teacher

Today we are going to study TCP, or Transmission Control Protocol. It's a reliable, connection-oriented protocol widely used in networking. Does anyone know what that means?

Student 1
Student 1

I think it means that it ensures the delivery of data, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! TCP establishes a connection between the client and server, which ensures that data packets arrive in order and without errors. That’s why it’s so popular for applications where reliability is crucial, like in chat programs and web browsing.

Student 2
Student 2

How does it compare to UDP?

Teacher
Teacher

Great question! Unlike TCP, UDP, or User Datagram Protocol, is connectionless and does not guarantee delivery. This makes UDP faster but less reliable. If you want to remember this, think of TCP as a 'reliable mail service' and UDP as 'sending a postcard.'

Student 3
Student 3

What kind of applications commonly use TCP?

Teacher
Teacher

Applications like web browsers, email clients, and file transfers utilize TCP due to the need for reliable data delivery. Now, let's shift to how we implement TCP in Java.

Creating a TCP Server

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Teacher
Teacher

We'll start with the TCP server example. In Java, we use the `ServerSocket` class to create our server. Can anyone recall how we set this up?

Student 4
Student 4

You start by creating a `ServerSocket` and specifying the port number?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! The line `ServerSocket serverSocket = new ServerSocket(5000);` sets up our server on port 5000. Let’s review the code briefly together.

Student 1
Student 1

What happens after that?

Teacher
Teacher

After that, it waits for a client to connect with `serverSocket.accept()`. This line blocks the server until a client connects, which is a key point in ensuring a connection is established. The server then uses input and output streams to communicate with the client.

Student 2
Student 2

What types of communication can we have?

Teacher
Teacher

Great question! Primarily, we use `PrintWriter` for sending messages and `BufferedReader` for receiving messages. In our example, you can see the echo functionality where the server simply echoes back what the client sends.

Creating a TCP Client

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Teacher
Teacher

Now, let’s talk about the TCP client. We can establish a connection to the server using the `Socket` class. Who can give me the correct syntax?

Student 3
Student 3

You use `Socket socket = new Socket("localhost", 5000);` right?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly right! This connects to the server running on localhost at port 5000. What do you think is the next step?

Student 4
Student 4

We need to send messages!

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! We can send messages using `PrintWriter`, just like the server. After sending a message, we can use `BufferedReader` to read the server's response. Let’s run through sending 'Hello Server!' together.

Student 1
Student 1

And then we print the server response, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely! This interaction forms the basis of much TCP communication in Java applications.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section covers the fundamentals of TCP programming in Java, illustrating the implementation of both client and server applications.

Standard

In this section, the TCP programming model is introduced through detailed examples of a TCP server and client written in Java. The focus is on how to establish connections and handle communication between server and client applications using socket programming.

Detailed

TCP Programming in Java

Overview

This section details the implementation of TCP networking in Java, specifically focusing on the creation of a TCP server and a TCP client. TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is a connection-oriented protocol that guarantees reliable communication between devices over a network.

TCP Server Example

The provided Java example for the TCP server demonstrates how a server initializes a listening socket on port 5000, accepts client connections, and reads messages sent by clients. The server echoes back the received message to the client, showcasing basic request-response behavior typical in networked applications.

Code Example:

Code Editor - java

Key Points:

  • Uses ServerSocket for accepting client connections.
  • Uses PrintWriter and BufferedReader for sending and receiving messages.
  • Demonstrates basic echo functionality.

TCP Client Example

The TCP client example illustrates how to connect to the server running on the same machine using localhost and port 5000. It sends a greeting message to the server and prints the server's echoed response.

Code Example:

Code Editor - java

Key Points:

  • Uses Socket to connect to the server.
  • Sends messages using PrintWriter.
  • Reads responses using BufferedReader.

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Advance Java Tutorial 02 Sockets and Socket programming

Audio Book

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TCP Server Example

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import java.net.*;
import java.io.*;
public class TCPServer {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
        ServerSocket serverSocket = new ServerSocket(5000);
        System.out.println("Server started...");
        Socket clientSocket = serverSocket.accept();
        System.out.println("Client connected.");
        BufferedReader in = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(clientSocket.getInputStream()));
        PrintWriter out = new PrintWriter(clientSocket.getOutputStream(), true);
        String message = in.readLine();
        System.out.println("Received: " + message);
        out.println("Echo: " + message);
        in.close();
        out.close();
        clientSocket.close();
        serverSocket.close();
    }
}

Detailed Explanation

The TCP Server example illustrates how to create a simple server in Java which listens for incoming connections.
1. It starts by importing necessary classes for networking and I/O operations.
2. The TCPServer class defines the server, and the main method is the entry point.
3. A ServerSocket is created on port 5000, allowing the server to receive connections.
4. The serverSocket.accept() method waits for a client to connect. Once a connection is made, a Socket for the client is created.
5. The server can then read messages sent by the client through an input stream and respond using an output stream.
6. Finally, it sends an echo of the received message and closes the streams and sockets, ending the connection safely.

Examples & Analogies

Think of the TCP Server as a reception desk in a hotel. Guests (clients) come in and check into the hotel. The desk (server) listens for guests, checks them in, takes their requests, and then processes them (echoes their messages) before bidding them farewell (closing connections).

TCP Client Example

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import java.net.*;
import java.io.*;
public class TCPClient {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
        Socket socket = new Socket("localhost", 5000);
        PrintWriter out = new PrintWriter(socket.getOutputStream(), true);
        BufferedReader in = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(socket.getInputStream()));
        out.println("Hello Server!");
        System.out.println("Server response: " + in.readLine());
        in.close();
        out.close();
        socket.close();
    }
}

Detailed Explanation

The TCP Client example demonstrates how to create a simple client that connects to the server created in the previous example.
1. It imports the necessary Java networking and I/O classes.
2. The TCPClient class defines the client application, and the main method serves as the entry point.
3. The client establishes a socket connection to the server located at "localhost" on port 5000.
4. It initializes output (to send messages to the server) and input (to read server responses) streams.
5. The client sends a greeting message, "Hello Server!" to the server.
6. It then waits for a response from the server, reads the response, and prints it to the console.
7. Finally, all streams and sockets are closed to clean up resources.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine the TCP Client as a hotel guest sending a message to the reception desk (the server). The guest states, "Hello!" and waits for the receptionist to respond. After getting the response, the guest leaves the desk with a smile, having had their interaction resolved.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • TCP: A reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery method for data packets.

  • ServerSocket: A class used to create server-side sockets, allowing a server to listen for incoming connections.

  • Socket: A client-side representation that connects to the server and facilitates communication.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • The TCP server listens for client connections on port 5000 and sends an echo of what it receives.

  • The TCP client connects to the server and sends a greeting message, displaying the response from the server.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • When data needs to flow, TCP is the way to go. It ensures that packets arrive, keeping connections alive.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Once, a ServerSocket waited for clients to connect. It knew that each time a friend joined, it would send back a message, confirming they were heard, just like a good server should.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • To remember TCP: Trustworthy, Connection-oriented, Packets delivered.

🎯 Super Acronyms

TCP - Transfer Communication Protocol

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: TCP

    Definition:

    Transmission Control Protocol, a connection-oriented protocol that ensures reliable data transmission between devices.

  • Term: ServerSocket

    Definition:

    Class in Java for creating server-side sockets that listen for client connections.

  • Term: Socket

    Definition:

    Class in Java that represents a client-side socket used to connect to a server.