Hints for networking

[Jano <402450@cepsz.unizar.es>]

Hello everybody.

I'm about to program a networking package for the first time in Ada and 
am somewhat undecided the way to go. I'd like to hear some pointers for 
examples or hints.

The protocol has some fixed-size packets and others of unknown size (but 
with known headers which contains the full size). I'm wondering what 
representation clauses could help me, if any. Also, I've my doubts about 
streams, because in the past I've tried them to write files and in Gnat 
I couldn't manage to output exact sized types except uncheckedconverting 
them into byte arrays. For example an integer subtype with 
representation clauses for 16 bits was always dumped as its base type, 
i.e. 32 bits. Frankly, the RM is too dense for me so some beginner 
documentation would be very useful.

I've read some tutorials and books from adapower lately but can't find 
something more on the subject. Clues welcomed.

TIA,

-- 
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Jano
402450[at]cepsz.unizar.es
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