local.txt

Libnet is a cross-platform library aimed at game developers. It has an abstract high level API, whic

LocalHost Driver
=================

Opening Channels
----------------
    The LocalHost driver uses a 'virtual port' system to allow data to be 
sent to specific channels. When an local channel is opened using 
net_openchannel the binding parameter is used to specify what port
is associated with that channel. The bindings used are as follows :

    ""       - use the default listening port - port 0.
    NULL     - use the next avalible port.
    :'port#' - use the port number specified by 'port #'.
             - this is a decimal number.

The port is checked to see if it is bound to another channel and, if
it is, net_openchannel will return an error. When a channel is destroyed
by net_closechannel the port bound to it is freed and is avalible for
use by another channel.

Examples :

  - use the default port

    chan=net_openchannel (NET_DRIVER_LOCAL, "");

  - use any avalible port

    chan=net_openchannel (NET_DRIVER_LOCAL, NULL);

  - use a specific port (port # 5147)

    chan=net_openchannel (NET_DRIVER_LOCAL, ":5147");


Assigning Targets
-----------------
    In order to send data from one channel to another the sending channel
must be assigned the target address of the receiving channel. This done via
the target parameter in the net_assigntarget function. A LocalHost network 
address is the port number of the receiving channel. A empty string for a
target address will set that port number to the default value.

Example :

  - target address is port 123

    y = net_assigntarget (chan, "123");

  - target address is default port

    y = net_assigntarget (chan, "");


    The 'from' address returned by net_receive is in the proper form to be
used directly by net_assigntarget.

Example :

    x = net_receive (chan, buffer2, 32, from_address);
    y = net_assigntarget (chan, from_address);


Notes
-----
  1. It is possible for a channel to send data to itself.