Dictionary Client-Server Application

A Java-based dictionary application implementing a client-server architecture that allows users to query, add, remove, and update word definitions through a graphical user interface.

Features

• Multi-threaded Server: Handles multiple client connections simultaneously using a custom thread pool
• Graphical User Interface: Both client and server components feature user-friendly GUI
• Persistent Storage: Dictionary data is stored in a file and persists between sessions
• Real-time Updates: Immediate synchronization between server and connected clients
• Concurrent Access: Thread-safe dictionary operations for multiple users

Architecture

Server Components

• DictionaryServer: Main server class with GUI control panel
• Dictionary: Core dictionary data structure and operations
• DictionaryFileHandler: Handles file I/O operations
• ClientHandler: Manages individual client connections
• Protocol: Implements the communication protocol
• CustomThreadPool: Manages worker threads for client connections

Client Components

• DictionaryClient: Main client class handling server communication
• DictionaryGUI: User interface for dictionary operations

Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Java Development Kit (JDK) 18 or higher
• Java Runtime Environment (JRE)

Installation

1. Clone the repository
2. Build the server:

cd DictionaryServer
javac -d out/production/DictionaryServer src/server/.java
jar cvfm DictionaryServer.jar src/META-INF/MANIFEST.MF -C out/production/DictionaryServer .

3. Build the client:

cd DictionaryClient
javac -d out/production/DictionaryClient src/client/*.java
jar cvfm DictionaryClient.jar src/META-INF/MANIFEST.MF -C out/production/DictionaryClient .

Running the Application

1. Start the server:

java -jar DictionaryServer.jar <port> <dictionary-file-path>

2. Start the client:

java -jar DictionaryClient.jar <server-address> <server-port>

Usage

Server Control Panel

• Click "Start Server" to begin accepting client connections
• Monitor server status through the GUI
• Click "Stop Server" to terminate the server

Client Interface

• Query: Enter a word and click "Query" to find its meanings
• Add: Enter a word and its meanings (semicolon-separated) and click "Add"
• Remove: Enter a word and click "Remove" to delete it
• Update: Enter a word and new meanings to add to existing definitions

Protocol Specification

Request Format

<action>:<word>:<meanings>

Actions:

• query: Retrieve word meanings
• add: Add new word with meanings
• remove: Delete a word
• update: Add new meanings to existing word

Meanings are semicolon-separated strings.

Response Format

• Success: Success: <message>
• Error: Error: <message>

Technical Details

Threading Model

• Custom thread pool implementation
• Fixed pool size of 16 threads
• Thread-safe dictionary operations using synchronization

File Format

Dictionary data is stored in a text file with the format:

word:meaning1;meaning2;meaning3

Error Handling

• Connection failures
• Invalid requests
• Duplicate entries
• Missing words/meanings
• File I/O errors

License

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