Need advice on client/server application

[Guiseppe]

Hi there.

I could use some advice on what technology to use to establish communications between my clients and server.

I would usually use sockets to communicate. But since I'm starting from scratch now, I'm asking if there is anything better.

Also, is using the new WCF an option?

Thanks in advance.

[the182guy]

What type of application is it going to be, what's the purpose? The technology used often depends on the solutions purpose.

If you need to communicate using clients and a server then sockets nearly always the best way.

Is it for VB6 or .Net? I'd use the winsock control or Winsock API for vb6. For .Net i'd use either the System.Net namespace or this componant which works like a vb6 Winsock:
http://www.codeproject.com/useritems/winsock2005.asp (.NET 2005)

http://www.codeproject.com/vb/net/winsockdotnet.asp (Previous versions of .NET)

[Guiseppe]

It would be in .NET 2.0 (or 3.0 if WCF is worth using, might as well get familiar with it).

The application is a 4 player game, and transmitted data would consist of plain text (and not that very much of it).