ft_irc - Internet Relay Chat Server

This project was developed as part of the School 42 curriculum in collaboration with Tuukka Tikanoja.

Overview

ft_irc is a project from School 42 that involves the creation of an IRC (Internet Relay Chat) server and client. IRC is a real-time text communication protocol, and this project offers an opportunity to gain expertise in network programming and communication protocols. As a reference client, we used Irssi. We recommend using it, too, when trying out the project.

Description

The ft_irc project is a practical exercise in building an IRC server and client. It involves the following components:

• Server: The project aims to create a functional IRC server capable of handling multiple clients simultaneously. The server should manage user connections, channels, operators and chat messages.
• Command Handling: The server and client must handle IRC commands for communication, such as JOIN, PRIVMSG, and QUIT.
• Channel Management: Users can create, join, and manage channels for group communication.
• Error Handling: The project emphasizes robust error handling to ensure that the server and client can handle unexpected issues gracefully.

Implementation

We implemented the following commands

Command	Description
JOIN	Join a specific channel to participate in chat.
PART	Leave a channel.
PRIVMSG	Send a private message to a user or channel.
NOTICE	Send a notice to a user or channel.
PASS	Provide password to register with the server.
NICK	Change your nickname.
USER	Set your username and realname.
MODE	Set the mode of a channel or user.
KILL	Disconnect a user from the server
KICK	Remove a user from a channel.
TOPIC	Set the topic of a channel.
INVITE	Invite a user to a channel
QUIT	Disconnect from the IRC server.
MOTD	Display the message of the day.
AWAY	Set an away message.
PING	Check server response.
PONG	Respond to a PING request.

How it works

Here is a graphical representation of how the server works. An annotated version can be found here

Learning

Soft Skills

The successful completion of the ft_irc project required effective GitHub management and problem-solving skills. Utilizing git for collaboration on the code, task management, and progress tracking was crucial. Strong communication skills played a vital role in coordinating efforts for a smooth development process.

Technical Skills

The implementation of ft_irc involved a variety of technical skills:

• C++ Programming: The entire project is implemented in the C++ programming language, following the Norm guidelines provided by School 42.
• Network Programming: Understanding network protocols, socket programming, and managing client-server communication.
• Command Parsing: Developing a parser to handle and interpret IRC commands.
• User Authentication: Implementing user authentication and access control to ensure the security of the chat system.
• Error Handling: Building mechanisms to handle errors gracefully, such as user disconnects and server failures.

Prerequisites

Before you start working on the ft_irc project, ensure that you have the following prerequisites:

• gcc (GNU Compiler Collection)
• make
• A compatible C and C++ library

Our repository should already contain any additional dependencies or libraries required for the project.

Installation

1. Clone this repository to your local machine:

   git clone https://github.com/yourusername/ft_irc.git
   cd ft_irc

2. Compile the server and client components according to the project's build instructions.

3. Run the server and client applications to test the IRC system.

Usage

To use the ft_irc project, follow these steps:

Start the IRC server by running the compiled server executable with appropriate settings.

./ircserv <port> <password>

Launch the IRC client application to connect to the server and interact with other users.

To connect with Irssi, install it (see above). Run it with:

 irssi

then

/connect 127.0.0.1 <port> <password> [<nick>]

Use IRC commands to join channels, send messages, and engage in real-time communication with other users.