Sockets, networking and servers

[drhowarddrfine]

I have always said that I am networking stupid and that includes web servers, sockets, etc.  I've spent some time getting twisted in the wind with .NET crap but I need to get back to the basics because I'm not only stupid, I'm confused stupid.

If I just code using sockets, isn't that all I need to serve web pages on the 'net?  Aren't sockets just the asm of network coding and if I master that then I don't really have to use a web server of any kind?

If so, then what do I need IIS or Apache for?  Do these just do the "front end" work and deliver a nice, tidy package for me to transfer data back and forth?  Can't I do it myself using sockets?

For those familiar with ISAPI and IIS, wouldn't isapi be (almost) as much work as dealing with sockets themselves?

I've got some major gaps in my learning and I need to get them filled.  Thanks.

[drhowarddrfine]

Well I feel really stupid now.  Found some great stuff that I need to read.  I would be the first to say Google everything, and I did, but when frustration hits you you sometimes feel like you've tried everything. 

I'm OK now.  I feel better.  Thanks.

[P1]

drhowarddrfine,

Japheth has some very good examples to learn from.
http://www.japheth.de/

Regards,  P1  :8)