SocketWrench Overview

SocketWrench is a general purpose TCP/IP networking component that comes in several editions, including a .NET managed code assembly, ActiveX control (OCX) and a standard Windows dynamic link library (DLL). Which edition is best to use for a given project depends on several factors, including the programming language being used, the type of application being developed and the individual preferences of the developer. To learn more about the product and the general functionality of SocketWrench, please review the Product Features.

SocketWrench is available in three different editions. The Standard Edition provides basic TCP/IP networking functionality and enables developers to quickly and easily integrate Internet functionality in their applications. The Secure Edition also includes support for the SSL and TLS protocols, enabling your software to establish secure, encrypted connections using industry standard protocols. The SocketWrench .NET Edition is a managed code class for the .NET Framework which is easier to use than the native socket class, and integrates the same security features that are found in the Secure Edition.

SocketWrench .NET Edition

The SocketWrench .NET Edition is a managed code class written in C# that can be used with any Visual Studio .NET programming language. The primary benefit to using the .NET components is a simplified interface, rapid development and a lower learning curve. In languages like Visual Basic .NET, the classes can be simply referenced as you would any other .NET class. Because the SocketWrench .NET component is a managed code class that is native to the .NET Framework, there isn't the additional overhead associated with using ActiveX components and COM Interop.

The SocketWrench .NET class supports both synchronous and asynchronous modes of operation, with events used to notify the application when data is available, an operation completes and so on. The interface implemented by the class is similar to the ActiveX control interface, making the transition to the .NET platform as simple as possible.

The SocketWrench .NET Edition requires either Visual Studio 2008, Visual Studio 2005 or Visual Studio .NET 2003 and is supported on Windows 2000 and later platforms. It is important to note that the .NET components can only be used with languages that support the .NET Framework and Common Language Runtime. If you are using languages such as Visual Basic 6.0, Visual FoxPro or PowerBuilder, then you should use the SocketWrench Standard or Secure Edition instead.
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SocketWrench Secure Edition

The SocketWrench Secure Edition includes both an ActiveX control (OCX) and dynamic link library (DLL) that can be used to establish standard and secure network connections. The Secure Edition supports the creation of TCP/IP client and server applications using the same industry standard protocols that are used with secure websites, and SocketWrench makes it simple to integrate that same level of security in your own applications.

One of the significant advantages of SocketWrench is the dual component approach, providing both an ActiveX control and DLL in the same product, ensuring broad compatibility with virtually every Windows programming language. The choice of which component to use largely depends on the language being used and the personal preference of the developer.

The Secure Edition supports secure, encrypted connections using the standard SSL and TLS protocols, and implementing security features typically only requires a few lines of code. You don't need to understand complex encryption algorithms or how to manage certificate information. Because SocketWrench uses standard Windows libraries that are included with the base operating system, there's no third-party libraries that you need to redistribute, and there are no patent concerns or export restrictions beyond those of the operating system itself. The SocketWrench Secure Edition greatly simplifies the development of applications that require secure communications over the Internet.
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SocketWrench Standard Edition

The SocketWrench Standard Edition includes both an ActiveX control (OCX) and dynamic link library (DLL), and supports the same general features and functionality that is included in the Secure Edition without the security features. The ActiveX control is typically used with high-level programming languages such as Visual Basic, however it can be used with any language that supports the Component Object Model (COM) specification. For those development tools that don't support ActiveX, SocketWrench also includes a dynamic link library that can be used with most programming language. If the language is capable of directly calling functions in the Windows API, then it is capable of using the SocketWrench library.

The primary benefit to using the SocketWrench ActiveX control is a simplified interface, rapid development and a lower learning curve. In languages like Visual Basic, the controls can be simply dropped on a form or dialog and referenced as you would any other object. On the other hand, some developers also prefer the lower-level interface and simpler redistribution afforded by the library. The trade-off is that the SocketWrench API tends require more coding on the part of the developer.
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