What is a Socket? A Comprehensive Explanation

A socket is an endpoint for communication between two processes over a network, typically the Internet. It's a combination of an IP address and a port number that uniquely identifies a specific process running on a computer. Sockets enable programs to send and receive data, and can be used for a variety of applications, including file transfer, email, web browsing, and real-time audio and video streaming. Sockets can be created using various programming languages and network protocols such as TCP, UDP, and HTTP.