c/c++ and linux?

[tyler]

Hay list,
I have a question,
I was talking to gabe vega AKA blindtech, and he said he had about 12 years
of linux experience, unfortunately, I wasn't able to talk to him a bit more,
in order to get to know some more about the operating system. Anyway, I have
a question. I am an experienced windows c++ programmer, and have a couple
questions. I am used to using the windows api, and winsock, and etc to
interface to windows and etc, to do what I want. Now, I haven't had any
problem with this, just msdn, and I am usually able to code something up,
with the drawback of coding and testing time, things usually go pretty well
for me. I don't distribute the applications, because I just like to test,
and crash, my own system, and some of them have been fun, and some rather
stupid, admitedly. Anyway, On to my question. How do I use sockets in linux?
I tried to find socket examples, and everyone wants me to use "there library
that they developed." I really can't see what would be wrong with using the
origenal thing, unless I am missing something. Also, does linux have an API?
I know windows has an api, for process management, thread management,
background management, linux woudl have to have stuff for forking and etc.
Any help is appriciated.
Thanks,
Tyler Littlefield.
Check out our website:
http://tysplace.the-leetest.net
check out my blog:
livejournal.com/~tylerrl
[my programs don't have bugs, just randomly added features]
[failure is not an option, it comes bundled with windows!]