XML Socket - Header conundrum...

[jog]

I'm desperately trying to found out how to add a header to my socket
message sends. I'm communicating via flash to a c++ server, and of
course all the flash sent messages end in a null.

HOWEVER, this is an industrial, processor intensive bit of software,
and scanning every char that comes into the C++ server for a null is
really inefficient. Much better if I could include a 2 byte header
announcing the messages length from flash. I cannot find anyway to do
this and its driving me crazy, including invading my dreams!

I tried converting the message length to two ascii character
equivalents and appending them to the front of the XML message before
sending it, but of course found that if the message length is less
than 256 characters, well the first byte of the message length will be
a zero - which reads as a null character, so ending the message before
it starts!

Does anyone have any idea how I could solve this sticky issue (if its
even possible)? Any pointers or advice will be incredibly appreciated,
and I'd be in debt to your goodself :)

jog

[Jeckyl]

write out the two bye length encoded as a four character hex string .. eg if
length is 255, write out 00FF (say)

--
All the best,
Jeckyl