Winsock

Winsock (Windows Sockets) is a software interface in Windows operating systems that enables programs to communicate over a network using internet protocols like TCP/IP. It acts as a bridge between application software and the network hardware or drivers, allowing programs to send and receive data over the internet or local networks. Essentially, Winsock provides a standardized way for applications to access network services without needing to manage the underlying network details directly. This simplifies the development of network-enabled applications on Windows systems.