Netcat
Netcat is a versatile networking utility for reading from and writing to network connections using TCP or UDP protocols. It is often referred to as the 'Swiss Army knife' of networking due to its ability to perform tasks like port scanning, file transfers, and network debugging. It operates as a command-line tool available on most Unix-like systems and Windows, enabling developers and administrators to interact directly with network services.
Developers should learn Netcat for network troubleshooting, security testing, and scripting network interactions, such as testing if a port is open or creating simple client-server applications. It is particularly useful in penetration testing for banner grabbing, backdoor connections, and data exfiltration simulations, as well as in DevOps for debugging microservices and container networking. Its simplicity and raw socket capabilities make it an essential tool for anyone working with network protocols or system administration.