This project was developed as part of the School 42 curriculum in collaboration with Tuukka Tikanoja.
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.
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.
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. |
Here is a graphical representation of how the server works. An annotated version can be found here
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.
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.
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.
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Clone this repository to your local machine:
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/ft_irc.git cd ft_irc -
Compile the server and client components according to the project's build instructions.
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Run the server and client applications to test the IRC system.
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:
irssithen
/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.