2.3 The Networking Module

The Tools.h++ Professional networking module contains two C++ libraries:

The net library provides network communication classes for building client/server applications.
The int library provides thread-hot Internet classes for adding FTP, HTTP, SMTP, and POP3 capabilities to C++ applications.

The tables in Section 2.3.1 and Section 2.3.2 list and describe the net and int classes.

2.3.1 Classes in the net Library

Table 9 lists and briefly describes the classes in the net library.

Table 9 -- Classes in the net library

*RWInetAddr*	Constructs a complete internet address that includes type information, a host, and a port.
*RWInetAddrFactory*	Used by the *rwSockAddrFactory* to create instances of *RWInetAddr*.
*RWInetHost*	Encapsulates an internet host IP address and its names.
*RWInetPort*	Encapsulates an internet port and its service names.
*RWInetType*	Provides a convenient mechanism to construct an *RWSockType* for an internet address type.
*RWNetBuf*	Provides a network communication buffer class that holds both data and flags that indicate the state of the buffer.
*RWPortal*	Provides an access point of a reliable byte stream communication channel.
*RWPortalIStream*	Provides an *istream* that uses an *RWPortal* as its source of bytes.
*RWPortalOStream*	Provides an *ostream* that uses an *RWPortal* as its sink of bytes.
*RWPortalStreamBase*	Provides functionality common to *RWPortalIStream* and *RWPortalOStream*.
*RWPortalStreambuf*	Provides a *streambuf* that uses an *RWPortal* as its source and sink of bytes.
*RWSockAddr*	Provides a proxy to a socket address of a type that is not known until runtime.
*RWSockAddrBase*	Provides an interface class that represents a socket address.
*RWSockAddrFactory*	Builds addresses of any (registered) type.
*RWSockAddrFactoryBase*	Provides an abstract class for various address factories.
*RWSocket*	Provides a wrapper for the C concept of a socket.
*RWSocketAttribute*	Encapsulates conditions that may be true for a socket.
*RWSocketListener*	Waits on a specified socket address for incoming connections.
*RWSocketPortal*	Provides a socket implementation of a portal, implemented using the *RWSocket* class.
*RWSockType*	Represents a type of socket communications channel.
*RWWinSockInfo*	Initializes for the socket API on Windows platforms.

2.3.2 Classes in the int Library

Table 10 lists and briefly describe the classes in the int library.

NOTE: Hyphens that appear in the following tables are for formatting purposes only. Rogue Wave class and interface names do not include hyphens.

Table 10 -- Classes in the int library

*RWIAgent*	Provides the base class from which all specific protocol agents are built.
*RWIDirEntry*	Encapsulates parsing and component storage of directory entries typical of those returned from the FTP `LIST` command.
*RWIFtpAgent*	Provides basic FTP file and directory access.
*RWIFtpClient*	Provides low-level access to the FTP client-side protocol.
*RWIFtpDataReply*	Contains an *RWSocketPortal* for data that is to be read from or written to the underlying socket. A specialization class of *RWIFtpReply*.
*RWIFtpPasvReply*	Contains the FTP server's Internet address, which is used by an FTP client to establish a TCP connection with the server. A specialization class of *RWIFtpReply*.
*RWIFtpPwdReply*	Attempts to parse the FTP protocol reply for the current directory information. A specialization class of *RWIFtpReply*.
*RWIFtpReply*	Provides the base class for all FTP protocol reply messages. *RWIFtpReply* is a subclass of *RWINumReply* with no additional methods.
*RWIHttpAgent*	Simplifies performing the most common HTTP requests.
*RWIHttpClient*	Provides low-level access to the HTTP client-side protocol.
*RWIHttpContentLengthHeader*	A specialization class of *RWIHttpHeaderBase* that formats its contents as `Content-Length: header_value`.
*RWIHttpDate*	Maintains date and time information.
*RWIHttpDateHeader*	A specialization class of *RWIHttpHeaderBase*. Defines the HTTP `Date` header request. It is a helper class that formats its contents as `Date: header_value`.
*RWIHttpFromHeader*	A specialization class of *RWIHttpGenericHeader*. Defines the HTTP `From` header request. It is a helper class that formats its contents as `From: header_value`.
*RWIHttpGenericHeader*	A specialization class of *RWIHttpHeaderBase. RWIHttpGenericHeader* is a helper class that formats its contents as `header_label: header_value`.
*RWIHttpGet*	A specialization class of *RWIHttpMethod*. Provides basic formatting for HTTP `GET` requests.
*RWIHttpHead*	A specialization class of *RWIHttpMethod*. Provides basic formatting for HTTP `HEAD` requests.
*RWIHttpHeaderBase*	An abstract base class for all concrete *RWIHttpHeader* classes. These classes make it easier to attach headers and provide formatting for various HTTP requests.
*RWIHttpIfModifiedSinceHeader*	A specialization class of *RWIHttpDateHeader*. Defines the HTTP `If-Modified-Since` header request.
*RWIHttpMethod*	An abstract base class used to define HTTP request methods.
*RWIHttpPost*	A specialization class of *RWIHttpMethod*. Provides basic formatting for HTTP `POST` requests.
*RWIHttpReply*	The class for all HTTP protocol reply messages. *RWIHttpReply* is a subclass of *RWINumReply*, and provides additional methods for retrieving returned HTTP header information.
*RWIHttpUserAgentHeader*	A specialization class of *RWIHttpGenericHeader*. Defines the HTTP `User-Agent` header request.
*RWIHttpVersion*	An abstract base class that defines the interface for HTTP versions.
*RWIHttpVersion_0_9*	A filter class for HTTP 0.9 version requests.
*RWIHttpVersion_1_0*	A filter class for HTTP 1.0 version requests
*RWINumReply*	Encapsulates a numerical protocol reply typical of many common Internet protocols.
*RWINumReplyLine*	Encapsulates a single numerical protocol reply as defined by the FTP and SMTP protocols.
*RWIPop3Agent*	Provides access to basic POP3 mail.
*RWIPop3Client*	Provides low-level access to the POP3 client-side protocol.
*RWIPop3ConnReply*	Derived from *RWIPop3Reply*. Attempts to parse the POP3 protocol reply for the time stamp passed back by a server implementation supporting enhanced security features.
*RWIPop3DataReply*	Derived from *RWIPop3Reply. Contains an RWSocketPortal* used to obtain the data portion of the message.
*RWIPop3Reply*	Encapsulates a general POP3 protocol reply.
*RWIPop3StatReply*	Derived from *RWIPop3Reply*. Parses out additional reply data returned in response to the POP3 `STAT` command.
*RWIReply*	Provides the base class for all protocol replies
*RWISmtpAgent*	Sends data to a server via the SMTP protocol.
*RWISmtpClient*	Provides low-level access to the SMTP client-side protocol.
*RWISmtpDataReply*	A specialization class of *RWISmtpReply. Contains an RWSocketPortal* used to write the body of a mail message.
*RWISmtpReply*	The base class for all SMTP protocol reply messages.
*RWStreamCoupler*	Provides an automated mechanism for connecting an input stream to an output stream.
*RWURL*	A convenience class that encapsulates parsing and component management of URL information.

Global Utility functions	Functions that make it easier to handle formatting for the various protocols.