A network is a set of computers and peripherals, such as modems and printers, that are physically connected together. A particular network has a unique set of HARDWARE and software that enables various computers and peripherals to communicate. The POWER of networks enables computers to share resources. For example, a small computer on a network can access and use other computers that are much more POWERFUL.

One Java design goal was to support the development of COMPLEX programs that are small, bug free and easy to understand. One of the areas in which Java's creators have succeeded with this goal is in the Network class. In other programming languages, performing the simplest network task can require pages of codes. With Java, in contrast, many of these tasks have been reduced to a single statement. For example, opening a file across a network in Java is not much more complicated than opening a LOCAL file. Because of this ease in programming, Java should make network programming common place.

A network is a set of computers and peripherals, such as modems and printers, that are physically connected together. A particular network has a unique set of hardware and software that enables various computers and peripherals to communicate. The power of networks enables computers to share resources. For example, a small computer on a network can access and use other computers that are much more powerful.

One Java design goal was to support the development of complex programs that are small, bug free and easy to understand. One of the areas in which Java's creators have succeeded with this goal is in the Network class. In other programming languages, performing the simplest network task can require pages of codes. With Java, in contrast, many of these tasks have been reduced to a single statement. For example, opening a file across a network in Java is not much more complicated than opening a local file. Because of this ease in programming, Java should make network programming common place.