My first question:

I’ve been trying to learn socket programming for a while now. I've seen some tutorials that go into sockets with languages such as php, and c++. Tutorials are great and everything, but I only know what sockets can do in programming, nothing about types is known by me. I was wondering if someone could recommend me to tutorial or a book that goes from basics--describing what sockets can do and onto how to create them.

My second question:

If I have been exposed to php already, what language should I learn to create actual window’s programs? I’ve seen c++, and it is very similar to php, should I choose to learn c++ rather than phyton on visual basics. Only reason I’m asking is because people have told me c++ is very complex to the novice. Any advice is greatly appreciated.