java_socket_application_project Documentation

Project Overview

This repository contains a Java-based chatting application developed as a Semester 3 OOP microproject. The application demonstrates socket programming concepts by enabling real-time chat communication using localhost sockets.

Repository: java_socket_application_project on GitHub
Language: Java
Created: 23 September 2023
Owner: not-available-aryan

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Purpose

The main goal of this project is to provide a simple, educational example of how socket programming can be used to create a basic chat application. It is designed for learning and experimenting with Java networking, object-oriented programming (OOP), and client-server communication patterns.

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Features

• Local Chatting: Communicate between multiple clients on the same machine using localhost sockets.
• Socket Programming: Demonstrates Java’s socket API for sending and receiving messages.
• Client-Server Architecture: Separates concerns between chat clients and a central server.
• Real-Time Communication: Messages are delivered instantly between participants.

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Setup Instructions

Prerequisites

• Java Development Kit (JDK) installed (version 8 or higher recommended)
• Git (for cloning the repository)
• Any Java IDE (optional)

Installation & Running

1. Clone the Repository:

   git clone https://github.com/not-available-aryan/java_socket_application_project.git
   cd java_socket_application_project

2. Compile the Source Code:

   • Open the project in your IDE, or
   • Use the command line:

     javac *.java

3. Start the Server:

   • Run the main server class (e.g., java ChatServer).

4. Start the Clients:

   • Open separate terminals for each client.
   • Run the client class (e.g., java ChatClient).

5. Begin Chatting:

   • Enter messages at each client terminal to chat via the server.

Note: The actual class names (ChatServer, ChatClient) may vary. Please check the repository for exact filenames.

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Main Components

• Server Class: Listens for incoming client connections, receives messages, and relays them to other clients.
• Client Class: Connects to the server, sends messages, and receives incoming chat messages.
• Socket Handling: Underlying logic for managing connections and data transfer between server and clients.

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Contributing

Feel free to fork the repository, submit pull requests, or open issues for bug reports and improvement suggestions.

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