An Internet Chat System

This chapter develops a useful UDP version of an Internet chat system. Like other chat systems that might be familiar to you, the software consists of a server that manages multiple discussion groups called "channels." Users log into the server using a command-line client, join whatever channels they are interested in, and begin exchanging public messages. Any public message that a user sends is echoed by the server to all members of the user's current channel. The server also supports private messages, which are sent to a single user only by using his or her login name. The system notifies users whenever someone joins or departs one of the channels they are monitoring.

A Sample Session

Figure 19.1 shows a sample session ...

Get Network Programming with Perl now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.