Multi-Client Chat Application

A real-time chat application implemented using Java Socket Programming, enabling multiple clients to connect to a centralized server and communicate with each other.

🌟 Features

• Multi-client support: Connect multiple users simultaneously
• Real-time messaging: Instant message delivery between clients
• Threaded architecture: Each client connection is handled in a separate thread
• User notifications: Alerts when users join or leave the chat
• Simple and intuitive interface: Easy-to-use command-line interface
• Robust error handling: Graceful management of unexpected disconnections

📋 Prerequisites

• Java JDK 8 or higher
• Basic understanding of networking concepts

🚀 Getting Started

Installation

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/ChamathDilshanC/Multi-Client-Chat-Application.git
   cd Multi-Client-Chat-Application

2. Compile the source code:

   javac *.java

Running the Application

1. Start the server:

   java Server

2. Launch the client(s) in separate terminal windows:

   java Client

3. Follow the on-screen instructions to join the chat.

🏗️ Architecture

The application follows a client-server architecture:

                  ┌─────────┐
                  │  Server │
                  └────┬────┘
                       │
           ┌───────────┴───────────┐
           │           │           │
      ┌────▼─────┐ ┌────▼─────┐ ┌────▼─────┐
      │ Client 1 │ │ Client 2 │ │ Client 3 │
      └──────────┘ └──────────┘ └──────────┘

• Server: Manages client connections and routes messages between clients
• Client: Connects to the server and provides a user interface for sending/receiving messages

💻 Implementation Details

Server Components

• ServerSocket: Listens for incoming client connections
• ClientHandler: Manages individual client connections (implemented as threads)
• Message broadcasting system to relay messages to all connected clients

Client Components

• Socket: Establishes connection with the server
• Input handling for user messages
• Output handling for displaying received messages

🎮 Usage Guide

Server Operations

Once the server is running, it will display connection information and wait for clients to connect.

Client Operations

After starting a client:

1. Enter a username when prompted
2. Start typing messages to communicate with other connected users
3. Use the /quit command to exit the chat

🚧 Limitations and Future Improvements

• Currently only supports local network connections
• No message persistence (history is lost when the server restarts)
• No private messaging between specific users

Future enhancements planned:

• Add user authentication
• Implement private messaging
• Create a graphical user interface
• Add message persistence
• Enable file sharing between users

👥 Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.

1. Fork the repository
2. Create your feature branch (git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature)
3. Commit your changes (git commit -m 'Add some amazing feature')
4. Push to the branch (git push origin feature/amazing-feature)
5. Open a Pull Request

📜 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

📞 Contact

Chamath Dilshan - @ChamathDilshanC

Project Link: https://github.com/ChamathDilshanC/Multi-Client-Chat-Application

🙏 Acknowledgements

• Java Socket Programming Documentation
• All contributors who have helped improve this project