$connect(<host> <port> [family])

• If the <host> argument is omitted the empty string is returned.
• If the <port> argument is omitted the empty string is returned.
• If the <host> argument does not resolve to a known Internet hostname, an error is output and the empty string is returned.
• If a TCP connection to host <host> on port <port> cannot be opened, an error is output and the empty string is returned.
• If the connection is established, then /ON DCC_RAW “<fd> <host> E <port>“ will be thrown before this function returns. <fd> is an integer by which you can refer to this connection with /dcc raw and /msg.
• The return value of this function is a small integer suitable for use with /DCC RAW and /MSG.
• The optional [family] argument can be 4, 6, v4, or v6 to specify usage of IPv4 or IPv6.

This function will let you open up a TCP socket to any host/port. You can send messages to the connection using the return value as the key argument to DCC RAW and MSG. You will receive messages from the connection via /ON DCC_RAW ”<fd> <host> D <data>”.

A number to be used for communication with an open TCP connection, or the empty string if an error occurs.

A complete example of opening up a connection to the local SMTPd, sending a command, receiving responses, and cleaning up afterwards.

alias mailcheck {
  @ :host = [127.0.0.1]
  @ :port = 25

  on ^dcc_raw "% $host D *" {
    echo ======-- Incoming! --====== $2-
  }
  on ^dcc_lost "% RAW $host" {
    on dcc_raw -"% $2 D"
    on dcc_lost -$*
  }

  @ :fd = connect($host $port)
  msg =$fd QUIT
}

This function first appeared in ircII-2.2pre3