GRCPChat

This is a schowcase project for a live and persistent messaging service including both a desktop client, the server and the database. Both the client and the server are coded in Java and the DBMS is MySQL. All client-server interaction is carried out using the gRPC framework.

Features

Live Messages
Live user online status
Chat History
Friend Management
- Send Friend Requests
- Accept/Block/Deny Requests
- Persistent Friend List
File transfer between users
Profile picture upload

More features to be added in the future.

Running the Project

Setting up the database:
- You can run MySQL in a container: see instructions below.
- Alternatively you can install MySQL server on your machine.
  
  First create the database schema using chatapp_schema.sql. Then create a user with SELECT, UPDATE and INSERT permissions. Finally, add the username, password and database port to the MySqlConnection.java file found in GRCPChat/GRPCChatApp/src/main/java/com/chatapp/database/.
Compile and run the server:

From the GRPCChatApp directory:

Compile:

mvn clean install

mvn exec:java

Compile the client:

From the GRPCChatAppClient directory and from a different terminal:

Compile:

mvn clean install

Run multiplie clients to test:

From the GRPCChatAppClient directory:

Run the client (use a different terminal for each instance):

mvn exec:java

Getting started:

Create 2 different users and create a friendship by using the 'Add Contact' tab and accepting the friend request.

How to: run mysql-server in a container

If you choose not to install MySQL on the host, you can run it in a Docker container.

Install Docker and make sure docker run hello-world works.
In a shell, cd to the root directory of this project
Start the MySQL server:
```
docker run --name=mysql1 -v $PWD:/src -p 3306:3306 mysql/mysql-server
```
Explanation:
- --name creates a named container called mysql1, so we can refer to it by that name instead of its container ID.
- -v bind-mounts the current directory to /src. We will import the schema file from there.
- -p opens port 3306 so the chat server can talk to the database
Wait for the MySQL server to start.

Eventually it prints:
```
[Entrypoint] MySQL init process done.  Ready for start up.
```
Scroll up a few lines, look for a line like this:
```
[Entrypoint] GENERATED ROOT PASSWORD: ,i&xa&EQBl:71499,8%Ul:QC9R=h8yPa
```
Copy this password somewhere, we'll need it in a moment.
Connect to the MySQL container and set it up:
```
$ docker exec -it mysql1 bash
```
Then, in the container:
```
# mysql -uroot -p"GENERATED_ROOT_PASSWORD"
```
(Replace GENERATED_ROOT_PASSWORD with the password from the previous step.)\

Then, in the mysql command line:
```
mysql> ALTER USER 'root'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'foo123';

mysql> exit
```
Then import the schema (this also creates necessary users).
```
# mysql -uroot -pfoo123 < /src/chatapp_schema.sql

# exit
```

When you're done with the database, stop it like so:

docker kill mysql1 && docker rm mysql1

laszlocsomor/GRCPChat

GRCPChat

Features

Running the Project

Getting started:

How to: run mysql-server in a container