c - Error: Address already in use while binding socket with address but the port number is shown free by `netstat`

Question

I tried to bind my socket(server socket) at port number 8000. It worked and did the job for me. At the end of the code I close the socket as well. The very next instant I run my code again and it shows me that the address is already in use. I have printed the meaning of error values strerror(errno); to see if my code working properly at each point. To check if the port is free I checked it using netstat but it shows that port number 8000 is free. It has happened with me a lot of times. Every time I then wait for a few more secs and then it starts working again. I am using c language. So what is he reason for this behavior by my OS.

After a few more secs I run the code and then it works.

anirudh@anirudh-Aspire-5920:~/Desktop/testing$ sudo ./a.out 
Socket Creation: Success
File open: Success
Socket Bind: Address already in use
Socket Listen: Address already in use
^C
anirudh@anirudh-Aspire-5920:~/Desktop/testing$ sudo netstat -lntp
Active Internet connections (only servers)
Proto Recv-Q Send-Q Local Address           Foreign Address         State       PID/Program name
tcp        0      0 0.0.0.0:80              0.0.0.0:*               LISTEN      1348/lighttpd   
tcp        0      0 0.0.0.0:22              0.0.0.0:*               LISTEN      984/sshd        
tcp        0      0 127.0.0.1:631           0.0.0.0:*               LISTEN      1131/cupsd      
tcp        0      0 0.0.0.0:3306            0.0.0.0:*               LISTEN      1211/mysqld     
tcp6       0      0 :::22                   :::*                    LISTEN      984/sshd        
tcp6       0      0 ::1:631                 :::*                    LISTEN      1131/cupsd      
anirudh@anirudh-Aspire-5920:~/Desktop/testing$ sudo ./a.out 
Socket Creation: Success
File open: Success
Socket Bind: Address already in use
Socket Listen: Address already in use
^C
anirudh@anirudh-Aspire-5920:~/Desktop/testing$ 

Answer 1

I've run into that same issue as well. It's because you're closing your connection to the socket, but not the socket itself. The socket can enter a TIME_WAIT state (to ensure all data has been transmitted, TCP guarantees delivery if possible) and take up to 4 minutes to release.

or, for a REALLY detailed/technical explanation, check this link

It's certainly annoying, but it's not a bug. See the comment from @Vereb on this answer below on the use of SO_REUSEADDR.