Multi-Client Chat Application

C++, Linux Sockets, Multithreading, Epoll

🚀 Overview

This is a high-performance multi-client chat application built in C++ using Linux Sockets, Multithreading, and Epoll for efficient real-time messaging. The server can handle multiple clients concurrently, and clients can send messages to each other through the server.

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📌 Features

✔ Multi-Client Support – Uses epoll for efficient handling of multiple clients.
✔ Concurrent Server – Handles multiple connections using multithreading.
✔ Custom Messaging Protocol – Implements message framing and error handling.
✔ Secure Communication – Supports basic encryption for data exchange.
✔ Non-Blocking I/O – Uses epoll() to efficiently manage client connections.
✔ User Authentication – Simple login system for secure access.
✔ Message Logging – Stores chat history for later retrieval.

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🛠️ Technology Stack

• C++ – Core programming language.
• Linux Sockets – For TCP/IP communication.
• Multithreading (pthread) – For concurrent request handling.
• Epoll – For non-blocking, event-driven network handling.
• OpenSSL (optional) – For encrypted communication.

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⚙️ Installation & Setup

Clone the Repository

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

Compile the Server & Client

g++ -o server server.cpp -lpthread
g++ -o client client.cpp

Run the Server

./server

Run Multiple Clients

./client

🖥️ Usage

Server Commands

• exit – Shuts down the server.
• list – Displays all connected clients.

Client Commands

• /msg – Send a private message.
• /all – Broadcast a message to all users.
• /quit – Disconnect from the chat.

📜 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License – Feel free to use and modify it!

Author

Developed by Srinath Duvvuri.