import socket


def ping():

    HOST = "127.0.0.1"
    PORT = 9999

    payload = b"ping\0"

    with socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM) as s:
        s.connect((HOST, PORT))
        while True:
            try:
                s.sendall(payload)
                print("> ping")
            except Exception as e:
                break
            reply = s.recv(1024).decode()
            if reply == "":
                break
            print(f"< {reply}")
        print("connection shut down")

if __name__ == "__main__":
    ping()