Multiplexed Chat Server

Overview

This project is a multi-client TCP-based group chat application built in C. It includes both a server and client implementation, enabling real-time communication between multiple users over a network. The server employs efficient I/O multiplexing using the select system call, while the client offers a simple interface for connecting to the server and participating in the chat. Shared utility functions are included for streamlined socket management.

Features

Server Features

• Concurrent Client Connections: Manages multiple clients simultaneously using a single-threaded approach with select.
• Real-Time Messaging: Broadcasts messages from any client to all other connected clients efficiently.
• Dynamic Client Management:
  • Handles new connections dynamically.
  • Removes inactive or disconnected clients gracefully.
• Server-Side Commands:
  • quit: Shuts down the server and disconnects all clients.
• Comprehensive Error Handling: Ensures stability and clean shutdown during unexpected errors.

Client Features

• User Authentication: Allows users to set a username when connecting to the server.
• Real-Time Chat: Sends messages to the server for broadcasting to other connected clients.
• Interactive Interface:
  • Displays incoming messages in real-time.
  • Supports text input for sending messages.
• Disconnection Handling: Handles clean disconnection from the server when a client exits or the server shuts down.

Shared Utilities

• Socket Utilities: Common functions for socket creation, error handling, and IPv4 address initialization, shared between the server and client.

How it works

1. Server

• Initializes a TCP socket, binds it to a specified port, and begins listening for incoming client connections.
• Manages incoming and outgoing messages and broadcasts them to all connected clients.

2. Client

• Connects to the server using the server’s IP and port.
• Sends a username upon connection, which is announced to other clients.
• Allows users to send messages and receive real-time updates from other users in the chat.

Requirements

• Operating System: Linux (or any POSIX-compliant system).
• Dependencies:
  • gcc (for compilation).
  • Basic networking libraries (sys/socket.h, arpa/inet.h, etc.).

Installation and usage

1. Clone this repository

   git clone https://github.com/AdrianMosnegutu/Multiplexed-Chat-Server.git
   cd Multiplexed-Chat-Server

2. Compile the server and client

   Compile the server

   gcc -o chat_server server.c utils/server_utils.c utils/general_utils.c 

   Compile the client

   gcc -o chat_client client.c utils/client_utils.c utils/general_utils.c 

3. Run the server

   Start the server to listen for incoming connections:

   ./chat_server

4. Run any number of clients

   Clients can connect to the server using the compiled client binary:

   ./chat_client

File Structure

• utils/
  • general_utils.h/server_utils.h/client_utils.h: Header files for respective utility functions.
  • general_utils.c: Shared utilities for socket creation, IPv4 address initialization, and error handling.
  • server_utils.c: Utility functions for server-side socket management and error handling.
  • client_utils.c: Utility functions for client-side socket management and input handling.
• server.c: Main server logic, including connection handling and message broadcasting.
• client.c: Main client logic, including server connection, message sending, and receiving.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. See the LICENSE file for details.