############
# open_TCP #
############
#
# Given ($file_handle, $dest, $port) return 1 if successful, undef when
# unsuccessful.
#
# Input: $fileHandle is the name of the filehandle to use
#        $dest is the name of the destination computer,
#              either IP address or hostname
#        $port is the port number
#
# Output: successful network connection in file handle
#

use Socket;

sub open_TCP
{
  # get parameters
  my ($FS, $dest, $port) = @_;

  my $proto = getprotobyname('tcp');
  socket($FS, PF_INET, SOCK_STREAM, $proto);
  my $sin = sockaddr_in($port,inet_aton($dest));
  connect($FS,$sin) || return undef;
  
  my $old_fh = select($FS); 
  $| = 1; 		        # don't buffer output
  select($old_fh);
  1;
}
1;