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Netcat

As explained in Go in Practice, Second Edition

Netcat is a command-line networking utility that reads and writes data across TCP or UDP connections and can act as a simple listener or client.

Netcat (nc) is a command-line networking utility used here to simulate a TCP log server. It listens on a port, accepts streamed text, and writes received messages to the console, making network logging easy to test without deploying a full logging service. section 7.2.1

Start a TCP listener

Run `nc -lk 1902` to listen continuously on TCP port 1902. A Go client can connect to `localhost:1902` and stream log messages to the terminal. Some Netcat versions require the `-p` flag. section 7.2.1

nc -lk 1902

Use the runnable listener command to create a local endpoint for testing network clients and streamed logs. section 7.2.1

How Go in Practice, Second Edition covers it

How deep it goes
Defines the listener workflow and flags, but stops short of explaining Netcat internals or protocol implementation.
Examples
Uses `nc -lk 1902` as a continuously listening local endpoint for a Go network log client.
What it assumes
Assumes command-line access and basic TCP concepts while providing a direct listener command.
What you can do after
Operate Netcat to provide a temporary TCP listener for testing streamed messages.
How it connects
Connects TCP networking with log aggregation, network sockets, and streamed application logs.
Cover of Go in Practice, Second Edition
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Related concepts

This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of Go in Practice, Second Edition. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.