Stream lib vs Socket lib

I've been working with php's socket library and I've run accross the stream_socket_ library. I'm wondering whether I should be using that library instead? Is there anything that makes the stream_socket library superior to the traditional socket library for writing TCP/IP socket clients and servers? Also, Is there any way to add the functionality of the stream_socket_enable_crypto() to a program written using traditional socket library (any available classes or extensions that would help add that functionality?). thanks alot! will