IRC server

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Description

This project implements an Internet Relay Chat (IRC) server, a text-based communication protocol used on the Internet. Users can connect to the server and communicate with each other using a client-server model, following the protocol described in RFC 2813. This project extends a basic implementation from the 42 curriculum by adding additional functionality and using extra tools.

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Instructions

This project uses Makefile and CMake to build the server and test binaries. To configure and build the project, run:

make

The server requires a port and password as command-line arguments:

• port: The port the IRC server listens on for incoming connections
• password: The password required for clients to connect

To run the server:

make run

You will be prompted to enter the required values:

Enter the port of the server: <port>
Enter the password for the server: <password>

Alternatively, you can run the server directly.

./build/src/irc_server <port> <password>

Reconfigure and rebuild the project:

make re

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Examples

Connect to the server

To start chatting, connect to the server using an IRC client such as Irssi. First, start the client in a terminal:

irssi

All following commands are of irssi, therefore they may be different on the other IRC clients.

Then connect to the server:

/connect <host> <port> <password>

if the client and server are running on the same machine, use localhost as .

Basic commands

Command's format may vary slightly depending on the client, but they followed the protocol described in RFC 2812.

Once connected, you can send private messages:

/msg <target> <text> 

To chat with multiple users, join or create a channel:

/join <channel name> \[<channel key>\]

Messages sent to a channel are broadcast to all users who have joined it.

Check or change your nickname:

/nick <nickname>

Channel operator commands

The following commands are available only to channel operators:

• /kick <channel name> <nickname> [comment] - Remove a client from the channel
• /invite <nickname> <channel> - Invite a client to a channel
• /topic <channel name> [ <topic> ] - Change or view the channel topic
• /mode <channel name> <(-/+)modes> <mode parameters> - Change the channel’s mode:
  • i: Set/remove Invite-only channel
  • t: Set/remove the restrictions of the TOPIC command to channel operators
  • k: Set/remove the channel key (password)
  • o: Give/take channel operator privilege
  • l: Set/remove the user limit to channel

Useful Irssi commands

These commands are specific for irssi:

• /disconnect - to terminate the connection.
• /rmreconns - to terminate the reconnections.
• /wc - to close a tab on the terminal such as channels, private chats.