🌐 1.
Introduction to Java Networking
🧠 What is Networking?
Networking means connecting two or more devices to share data or resources (like files, messages, or
videos).
Example:
Sending a WhatsApp message.
Accessing a website.
Watching a YouTube video.
Java provides a powerful [Link] package to handle networking tasks such as:
Identifying computers (by IP or hostname)
Sending and receiving data
Communicating using TCP and UDP protocols
🌍 2. InetAddress Class
🧠 Purpose:
The InetAddress class represents an Internet Protocol (IP) address — the identity of a computer on a
network.
When two devices communicate, they use IP addresses (like [Link] or [Link]).
🏗️ Where It Belongs:
Package → [Link]
Commonly used methods:
Method Description
getLocalHost() Returns IP address of your own computer
getByName(String host) Returns IP address of a given hostname (like [Link])
getHostName() Returns the hostname of the system
getHostAddress() Returns the IP address in string form
💻 Example:
import [Link].*;
public class InetAddressExample {
public static void main(String[] args) throws UnknownHostException {
// Get your local system details
InetAddress local = [Link]();
[Link]("Local Host Name: " + [Link]());
[Link]("Local IP Address: " + [Link]());
// Get details of a website
InetAddress website = [Link]("[Link]");
[Link]("Website Host Name: " + [Link]());
[Link]("Website IP Address: " + [Link]());
}
}
🧠 Expected Output:
Local Host Name: Lizy-PC
Local IP Address: [Link]
Website Host Name: [Link]
Website IP Address: [Link]
🧠 Explanation:
1. InetAddress local = [Link]();
→ Finds your own computer’s IP address and name.
2. getHostName()
→ Returns your computer’s name on the network (like “Lizy-PC”).
3. getHostAddress()
→ Returns your IP address in numeric format.
4. [Link]("[Link]")
→ Java internally contacts the DNS (Domain Name System) to find Google’s IP address.
💡 Analogy:
Just like how your phone needs a contact number to call a friend, your computer needs an IP address to
contact another computer.
🧠 Discussion Points / Questions for Students:
What is the difference between a Host Name and an IP Address?
→ Host name is human-readable ([Link]), IP address is numeric ([Link]).
How does Java resolve a hostname to IP?
→ Using DNS lookup internally.
🌎 3. URL Class
🧠 Purpose:
URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator.
It represents a web address that points to a resource (like a web page, image, or video) on the Internet.
🏗️ Where It Belongs:
Package → [Link]
Syntax:
URL url = new URL("[Link]
🔍 Parts of a URL:
Part Meaning Example
Protocol Communication method https
Host Website name [Link]
Port Communication channel 443
File Path to resource /docs/[Link]
💻 Example Program:
import [Link].*;
public class URLExample {
public static void main(String[] args) throws MalformedURLException {
URL url = new URL("[Link]
[Link]("Protocol: " + [Link]());
[Link]("Host: " + [Link]());
[Link]("Port: " + [Link]());
[Link]("File: " + [Link]());
}
}
🧠 Output:
Protocol: https
Host: [Link]
Port: 443
File: /docs/[Link]
🧠 Explanation:
1. Protocol → tells how to communicate (http, https, ftp, etc.)
2. Host → domain name of the website.
3. Port → like a "door" used for communication; HTTPS uses 443, HTTP uses 80.
4. File → path or file you are trying to access on the server.
💡 Analogy:
Think of a URL as a complete address —
Protocol = road type, Host = building name, Port = door number, File = room name.
🧠 Discussion Questions:
What happens if you omit the port number?
→ Java automatically uses the default port for that protocol (80 for HTTP, 443 for HTTPS).
Can two URLs have the same host but different ports?
→ Yes — they can point to different services running on the same server.
✅ Key Note
InetAddress → identifies computers using IP addresses.
URL → identifies web resources using web addresses.
These form the foundation for upcoming topics like Socket Programming (TCP & UDP), where
they’ll actually send data between systems.
💡 1. What Is Socket Programming?
🧠 Concept:
Socket programming allows two computers (or two Java programs) to communicate over a network (like
LAN or Internet).
A socket is an endpoint for communication between two machines.
Think of it like:
📱 Client = person who sends a message
💻 Server = person who receives and replies
🧠 2. Key Terms
Term Meaning
Socket Endpoint for sending/receiving data
ServerSocket Used only by server to listen for client requests
Client Program that connects to the server
Server Program that waits for and accepts connections
Port Number A unique number used to identify the application on a device (e.g., 8080)
⚙️ 3. Java Classes Used
From package [Link]:
Class Purpose
ServerSocket Creates a server that listens on a specific port
Socket Used by both client and server to send/receive data
InputStream Reads data from a socket
OutputStream Sends data to a socket
🧠 4. TCP vs UDP
Feature TCP UDP
Type Connection-oriented Connectionless
Reliability Reliable (guarantees delivery) Not guaranteed
Speed Slower Faster
Example WhatsApp messages Online games, video streaming
We’ll focus first on TCP, since it’s easier to understand (like a telephone call).
💻 5. TCP Socket Programming Example
Let’s make a simple client–server chat where:
The Server waits for a message.
The Client connects and sends a message.
🖥️ Server Program ([Link])
import [Link].*;
import [Link].*;
public class TCPServer {
public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
ServerSocket serverSocket = new ServerSocket(5000); // Server listens on port 5000
[Link]("Server started. Waiting for client...");
Socket socket = [Link](); // Wait for client connection
[Link]("Client connected!");
// Create input and output streams
BufferedReader input = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader([Link]()));
PrintWriter output = new PrintWriter([Link](), true);
String clientMsg = [Link]();
[Link]("Client says: " + clientMsg);
// Send reply to client
[Link]("Hello Client, message received!");
// Close connections
[Link]();
[Link]();
[Link]();
[Link]();
}
}
💻 Client Program ([Link])
import [Link].*;
import [Link].*;
public class TCPClient {
public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
Socket socket = new Socket("localhost", 5000); // Connect to server running on same system
[Link]("Connected to server!");
// Create input and output streams
BufferedReader input = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader([Link]));
PrintWriter output = new PrintWriter([Link](), true);
BufferedReader serverInput = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader([Link]()));
[Link]("Enter message for server: ");
String message = [Link]();
[Link](message);
// Read reply from server
String reply = [Link]();
[Link]("Server replied: " + reply);
[Link]();
}
}
⚙️ How to Run (in Lab/Class):
1. Open two terminal windows (or two command prompts).
2. First, compile both programs:
3. javac [Link]
4. javac [Link]
5. Run the Server first:
6. java TCPServer
7. Then run the Client in another window:
8. java TCPClient
🧠 Expected Output:
Server Side:
Server started. Waiting for client...
Client connected!
Client says: Hello Server!
Client Side:
Connected to server!
Enter message for server: Hello Server!
Server replied: Hello Client, message received!
🧠 6. Explanation (Line by Line)
Step Code Explanation
1 new ServerSocket(5000) Creates a server that listens on port 5000
2 accept() Waits for a client to connect
Step Code Explanation
3 new Socket("localhost", 5000) Connects client to server running locally
4 getInputStream() / getOutputStream() Used to send and receive messages
5 PrintWriter and BufferedReader Used for text communication
6 [Link]() Sends data
7 [Link]() Reads data sent by the other side
🧠 7. Real-Life Analogy
Imagine:
📞 ServerSocket = a telephone that is waiting for calls.
📞 Socket (Client) = a person dialing the number.
When connected → they can talk (send and receive messages).
