tcp/ip communication via console

basically, i just wanna get started on socket programming and i wanna make a server program that listens on a port and recives messages send from a client program jusrt made to send messages. i dont think this should be too hard

now, i need to know where to start. correct me if im wrong, but winsock.h and winsock2.h are both used for windows api, right?
if thats true, then i dont know if i can use them in a console based program.

where would be a good start to read about this and what include files would i need?
im using dev c++

BTW, if anyone things borland or microsoft c++ woudl be better for this, lemme know

Beej's is a good place to start.

curious asto how hard is this project?

Not that hard at all. That page I gave you will take you through all the steps you need to get a simple server-client system running. And of course there are plenty of people here to help you when you get stuck :)

Its hard to suggest what compiler is better for what person under any circumstance, but i perfer Microsoft VC++ 6.0 or .NET.

As for good places to start, here are some hits from google. Happy coding!

Clicky

going back to my compiler question
im using dev c++ and i cant even get this part of the code to work

Code:

---

#include <iostream.h>
#include <iomanip.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <winsock.h>
#include <stdio.h>
//#include <winsock2.h>

using namespace std;

int main()
{
    WSADATA wsaData;  // if this doesn't work
    //WSAData wsaData; // then try this instead

    if (WSAStartup(MAKEWORD(1, 1), &wsaData) != 0)
    {
        fprintf(stderr, "WSAStartup failed.\n");
        exit(1);
    }
    system("PAUSE");
    return 0;
}

---

and if i try to include winsock2.h, it gives me an error saying unbalanced ifndef or something :(

must read!