(socket) - Client question

I'm sorry if I am unclear! I am having a very hard time putting my thoughts/questions into words at the moment!! I know how to write the server. I can code it in 5 minutes. I am now trying to learn how to write the client. Which is not a problem. I just want to know why i have to get the port number from the command line before creating the socket on the client. Or do I? I am using this tutorial as a reference Linux Howtos: C/C++ -> Sockets Tutorial As to where on the server, it can be done after creating the socket. What i am asking is, is there a specific place/time i need to get the ip or port number? Or can i get the port number from the command line as long as its done before i connect to the server.

Example=>

WHY CANT THIS

Code:

portno = atoi(argv[2]);
    sockfd = socket(AF_INET, SOCK_STREAM, 0);
    if (sockfd < 0) 
        error("ERROR opening socket");
    server = gethostbyname(argv[1]);

BE THIS

Code:

sockfd = socket(AF_INET, SOCK_STREAM, 0);
    if (sockfd < 0) 
        error("ERROR opening socket");
    server = gethostbyname(argv[1]);
    portno = atoi(argv[2]);

OR EVEN THIS

Code:

bzero((char *) &serv_addr, sizeof(serv_addr));
    portno = atoi(argv[2]);
    serv_addr.sin_family = AF_INET;
    bcopy((char *)server->h_addr, 
         (char *)&serv_addr.sin_addr.s_addr,
         server->h_length);
    serv_addr.sin_port = htons(portno);

Is there a certain standard for the placement of them?

Creating a socket does not involve a port number or an address, so when, how, and if you get these things is irrelevant to the socket() call.

Bind() for a server and connect() for a client require an address and a port (WRT inet sockets), so you need them for that, which is usually the next step after creating a socket. As long as they are formatted correctly, it's irrelevant when and where you got them.

Sweet! Thank you MK27