+
+ /**
+ * The read() method is modeled after the read() Unix system
+ * call. You must provide a pointer to a character buffer that has
+ * enough allocated space for your potential read. You can also
+ * specify the maximum number of bytes allowed for this particular
+ * read. The actual number of bytes read is returned. You are
+ * responsible to ensure that the size of buf is large enough to
+ * accomodate your input message
+ * @param buf a char pointer to your input buffer
+ * @param length max number of bytes to read
+ * @return number of bytes read
+ */