Introduction to Networking

What is Networking?

Networking refers to the practice of connecting computers and other devices together to share resources and information. This can be achieved through various means, including wired and wireless connections.

Types of Networks

There are several types of networks, each serving different purposes and scales. The most common types include:

• LAN (Local Area Network)
• WAN (Wide Area Network)
• MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
• PAN (Personal Area Network)

Networking Components

To create a network, various components are required, including:

• Routers
• Switches
• Modems
• Network Cables
• Wireless Access Points

Basic Networking Concepts

Understanding basic networking concepts is crucial for building and managing networks. Some of the key concepts include:

• IP Addressing
• Subnetting
• DNS (Domain Name System)
• DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
• MAC Address

Networking in Android Development

Networking is an essential part of Android development, enabling apps to communicate with servers and other devices. Some common networking tasks in Android development include:

• Making HTTP requests
• Handling JSON data
• Using WebSockets

Example: Making an HTTP Request in Android

To demonstrate networking in Android, we'll make a simple HTTP request using the HttpURLConnection class. This example fetches data from a URL and displays it in the app.

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);

        new Thread(new Runnable() {
            @Override
            public void run() {
                try {
                    URL url = new URL("https://api.example.com/data");
                    HttpURLConnection urlConnection = (HttpURLConnection) url.openConnection();
                    try {
                        InputStream in = new BufferedInputStream(urlConnection.getInputStream());
                        BufferedReader reader = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(in));
                        StringBuilder result = new StringBuilder();
                        String line;
                        while ((line = reader.readLine()) != null) {
                            result.append(line);
                        }
                        Log.d("HTTP Request", result.toString());
                    } finally {
                        urlConnection.disconnect();
                    }
                } catch (Exception e) {
                    e.printStackTrace();
                }
            }
        }).start();
    }
}