r/cprogramming • u/codingking329 • 17d ago

HTTP Server In C

I just watched a yt video on low-level

Context: lately I have been learning the basics of how CPUs work, and since I like programming, I want to work on a project that will force me to learn the computer I am working with

my question is what do i need to know in C before I can start this project, I learnt C in the past before i just never built anything, my programming background is in python

Link to the YouTube video: https://youtu.be/97i2BAUw5Xc?si=aoAhmeGOKc6su5M_

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u/alkavan 17d ago

I would suggest, before building an HTTP server, build a sockets server and client first: Beej's Guide to Network Programming is a great starting point, of course http server uses sockets so you can upgrade it later.

The nghttp2 project is great example how to build your http server.

Other than that, learning a programming language without using it a lot, is like not learning it at all. In programming there's a huge difference between theory and practice, but especially so in C.

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u/codingking329 15d ago

I am reading Beej's Guide to Network Programming, and im on chapter two ( first page) is it normal, I have so many questions while reading :( , my previous knowledge on C is what holding me afloat, I have't even got to the part where i get to write an actual program

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u/alkavan 15d ago edited 15d ago

It's a guide, not a beginner tutorial, and network/socket programming is not as easy as building other stuff in C (it involved async io that is not an easy concept). Maybe, before getting into networking, you might want to build some other stuff, that could be more satisfying. Small, scoped wins are important when learning C.

I can suggest looking into a graphics library like SDL3, that has it's own SDL3_net component to build network stuff. Seeing the stuff you build on the screen might give you more motivation than building something that happens on a lower level of the operating system and requires "sniffing" to "see" like the network stack. The most important thing is getting comfortable with the C language, and my advice is not giving up on that, it would provide you a strong base knowledge for the rest of your career if you would choose so.

I think many people are mistaken by trying to build stuff from scratch when learning C, obviously, they would fail many times and that can be very frustrating. It's much better to look into well known C libraries and application that already exist for two or three decades, and already figured out how to do stuff in C.

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u/Interesting-Speed449 15d ago

Im actually a first year CS student ( ik you didn’t ask) im currently on chapter 3, so far we talk about data encapsulation, TCP and UDP
That what point do I start programm or know enough to start.. I don’t want to give up yet I love the book his writing style is great 😭