Can I use web browser and javascript to implement client scoket program

Can I implement a BSD client socket program using web browser and javascript that would communicate with an embedded web server BSD socket program running in a microcontroller programmed in C to transfer large files? If so, should I be looking at socket.io or where do I start (I'm a beginner javascript programmer)? And will the programming be as straightforward as BSD client server socket program interaction in C?

Thanks. Jay