IO::socket module or creating by hand

sajanagr has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

I want to create a socket for my code and a beginner.

I want to create a clean code which will enhance slowly in future.

Now, I came to know there is two way to code socket in Perl.

1. using IO:: Socket module

2. Creating sockets and handling them by hand

the second approach has better control as far as i have used.

But, I will like to have your suggestions before starting with this.

Not all who wander are lost ---- /me

Comment on IO::socket module or creating by hand

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Re: IO::socket module or creating by hand by BrowserUk (Patriarch) on Jun 14, 2010 at 10:41 UTC
I've never found any lack of "control" using IO::Socket. To my mind, it is one of the best pieces of abstraction on CPAN. Simple, lightweight and very effective. Several years ago, I did experiment with creating socket code by hand, and mostly succeeded in get what I set out to do to work. But each time I tried something new, I would re-encounter the same problems and misunderstandings, and inevitably, I would return to the IO::Socket::INET source code to resolve them. IO::Socket programs "just work", and so far have never proved to be limiting. That is the very essence of a good module. It may have some limitations, but I haven't encountered them. Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error. "Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority". In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice. RIP an inspiration; A true Folk's Guy	[reply]
Re^2: IO::socket module or creating by hand by sajanagr (Acolyte) on Jun 15, 2010 at 06:11 UTC
Thanks for your reply and sharing your experience with me. I will look to explore IO::Socket.	[reply]
Re: IO::socket module or creating by hand by jettero (Monsignor) on Jun 14, 2010 at 10:37 UTC
Perl's biggest strength is the CPAN. If you're thinking about opening a socket at all, you're probably missing something. If the socket endpoint is a webserver, look at WWW::Mechanize or LWP. If you're hoping to do SMTP, look at Net::SMTP or MIME::Lite. That said, the choice between "by hand" and IO::Socket should be pretty clear, but between the CPAN and IO::Socket you should choose something from the CPAN.	[reply]
Re: IO::socket module or creating by hand by pemungkah (Priest) on Jun 19, 2010 at 02:22 UTC
If you have a definite need to learn how the low-level calls work, then by all means code it yourself. If you want to get a job done, then use the module. This is actually a pretty good rule of thumb in general: if you need the nuts and bolts (say you're headed into an area that doesn't have any good modules for it), then write it yourself. If someone else has written a module that covers the ground (and that module, when tested in your application, works -- not all CPAN is perfect), then use the module.	[reply]