GATE CS 2014 Set 2 — Question 34

MCQ+1 / -0.33EasySocket ProgrammingTransport LayerComputer Networks

Computer Networks → Transport Layer → Socket Programming

Last updated 5 September 2026

Question

Which one of the following socket API functions converts an unconnected active TCP socket into a passive socket?

Correct answer (C) listen Solution In socket programming, a socket is created using the socket() system call. By default, this socket is an active socket, meaning it is intended to be used to initiate a connection (e.g., by a client calling connect()). To use a socket on the server side to wait for incoming connections, it must be converted into a passive socket. The listen() system call performs this conversion. It marks the socket referred to by the file descriptor as a passive socket, that is, as a socket that will be used to accept incoming connection requests using accept() . connect : Initiates a connection on a socket (client side). bind : Assigns a local protocol address to a socket. listen : Converts an unconnected active TCP socket into a passive socket, indicating that the kernel should accept incoming connection requests directed to this socket. accept : Retrieves the first connection request on the queue of pending connections for the listening socket. Turn this into a strength. Explore AI-powered practice and doubt support with Success Tracker.

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Correct answer (C) listen Solution In socket programming, a socket is created using the socket() system call. By default, this socket is an active socket, meaning it is intended to be used to initiate a connection (e.g., by a client calling connect()). To use a socket on the server side to wait for incoming connections, it must be converted into a passive socket. The listen() system call performs this conversion. It marks the socket referred to by the file descriptor as a passive socket, that is, as a socket that will be used to accept incoming connection requests using accept() . connect : Initiates a connection on a socket (client side). bind : Assigns a local protocol address to a socket. listen : Converts an unconnected active TCP socket into a passive socket, indicating that the kernel should accept incoming connection requests directed to this socket. accept : Retrieves the first connection request on the queue of pending connections for the listening socket.

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