Simply put, as someone fairly new to Visual C++, I need to know how to get a socket API working in Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition.

Note that I am not asking how to use a socket API. I may need to ask specific questions about that later, even though I've found plenty of examples. Instead, I'm saying I do not have a socket API at all and I want one. (And yes, I have checked and looked for a way to get one.)

What I need is support for TCP and UDP communication, hopefully as close as possible to classic Berkeley sockets. I understand Winsock is similar in most respects. That would probably work. I'd prefer to be doing things as close as possible to the way I would in most any other OS with whatever I use.

Could anyone suggest an option for me