[Advanced-java] What's The Difference Between...

[Matthew.Salerno@Gunter.AF.mil]

GIVEN:
I have a GUI java app running on a client machine that will connect to a
server.  I am creating java classes to run as a process on a Server that
will be listening for and accepting connections from users.  Once a user is
connected, the server will transmit data to/from the client until the client
chooses to disconnect. 

QUESTION:
Based on this vague example, Can anyone tell me the benefits of using a
SocketChannel (EX 1 below) over using a regular Socket (EX 2 below)?  I have
been told if you are expecting NUMEROUS clients to connect and transmit
data, then EX 1 is better... Any of you guys support that assumption?


/* EX 1 */
	// ........
			ServerSocketChannel serverSocketChannel =
ServerSocketChannel.open();
			ServerSocket serverSocket =
serverSocketChannel.socket();

			serverSocket.bind(new InetSocketAddress(9000));

			while(true)
			{
				System.out.println("Awaiting Client
Connection...");
				SocketChannel socketChannel =
serverSocketChannel.accept();
				System.out.println("Got Client
Connection...");
				// Create a byte buffer...
				String stringToSend = "This is a message";

				int length = stringToSend.length() * 2; // *
2 due to size of each char

				ByteBuffer lengthInBytes =
ByteBuffer.allocate(4);	// 4 = size of an 'int'
				lengthInBytes.putInt(length);
				lengthInBytes.rewind();
				
				ByteBuffer dataToSend =
ByteBuffer.allocate(length);
				dataToSend.asCharBuffer().put(stringToSend);
				ByteBuffer sendArray[] = {lengthInBytes,
dataToSend};

				socketChannel.write(sendArray);
				System.out.println("Sent Message to
Client...");
			}
	// ........

/* END OF EX 1 */


/* EX 2 */
	// ........
		// create the server socket...
		try
		{
			serverSocket = new ServerSocket(port);
		}
		catch(IOException e)
		{
			System.out.println("-> Could not create Server on
port "+port);
			System.exit(1);
		}
		
		System.out.println("-> Server created on port "+port);
		}
		
		// ........	

		while(true)
		{
			// wait for a client connection...
			try
			{
				System.out.println("-> Waiting for client
connections...");
				new ClientHandler(serverSocket.accept());

			}
			catch(IOException e)
			{
				System.out.println("-> Error accepting
client connection: "+e);
			}
		}
	// ........