Are sockets available as objects that you can drag into a form? If they must be created from code, what headers do I need to include (I suppose specifically for winsock). How do I use SSL for my sockets? Where would I include the headers? The main .cpp file?

I tried including winsock.h in stdafx.h but every build failed with it not being able to find such a file.

I tried including it in my main Project.cpp I don't get the missing file error, but I do get an error telling me: error C2065: 'SOCKET' : undeclared identifier.

Start Chunk of Solution Learner Project.cpp:

// Learner Project.cpp : main project file.

#include "winsock2.h"
#include "stdafx.h"
#include "Main.h"

Socket Declaration:    

SOCKET OpenSocket;

Thanks.

This article looks like a good place to start with socket programming. Seems however, that I needed the Windows Server x86 SDK installed in order to take advantage of the Windows libraries that allowed the use of socket type classes among other things.

Is there an article somewhere about contructing and using custom classes with your own programs?

This might be a good starting point for you to learn socket programming

http://www.codeproject.com/internet/client_server_socket.asp

Thanks.

This article looks like a good place to start with socket programming. Seems however, that I needed the Windows Server x86 SDK installed in order to take advantage of the Windows libraries that allowed the use of socket type classes among other things.

Is there an article somewhere about contructing and using custom classes with your own programs?

There are many tutorials on that.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-us&q=classes+c%2B%2B+tutorial