title: C++ network programming
body: <p>I would like to expand my knowledge in C++, so the first thing I'm taking on is network programming.</p>
  <p>I want to make an IRC bot (which hopefully will teach me about socket programming and networking topics), but I have no idea where to start. If anyone could explain to me how IRC bots work and how to make them, and direct me to some learning resources, that would be really great. Simple snippets as well would be awesome...</p>
  <p>edit:</p>
  <p>forgot to mention that I use ubuntu, so the windows way is not an option</p>