NOTE
These programs were designed to run on a Linux-/Unix-based system. Execution and output of this program may not work as intended if it is run outside of a Linux-/Unix-based system.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This set of programs comprises an application that establishes a TCP server, allowing multiple clients to connect to the server. The clients that connect can send messages to the server, which the server will transmit to all other clients.
PROGRAMS/CONTENTS
This set of files for a client-server application includes the following:
resources.h
server.c
client.c
makefile
Excluding makefile, all of the preceding files are written in C.
COMPILING AND EXECUTING THE FILES
Compiling
A makefile is included and is the simplest way to compile these files. The following command will automatically compile all necessary files in addition to automatically executing the server:
>make
Alternatively, you can compile the programs manually using the following set of commands, in order:
>gcc resources.h
>gcc -o server server.c
>gcc -o client client.c
This series of commands will properly compile all necessary files if executed correctly in order.
After the program is terminated, entering the command:
>make clean
will remove any additional files produced by compilation.
Executing
Executing the server and client simultaneously will require at least 2 open terminals. After compiling the files, the server and client can be executed with the following commands, respectively:
>./server
>./client [IP address of server] [desired display name]
An example execution of the client could be:
>./client 127.0.0.1 user_number_1
AND/OR
>./client 127.0.0.1 user_number_2
Multiple clients will require multiple terminals to be open.
If the files were compiled using make, then the server will run automatically
and only the clients will require manual execution. Note that the server must be
running before any clients will be able to connect.
Both server and client applications can be terminated by typing CTRL+c at any
time during execution. The server will be notified when any client disconnects,
but other clients WILL NOT be notified.
Usage
When the server is running, any input to the server will produce no results and will not be logged in the server log.
When running the client application, after connecting to the server, the client will display a short confirmation of connection. Afterward, the user may type anything they choose into the client application. Messages sent from one client will be visible to all other clients, along with the display name of the sender. For example (the arrows are for visualization and will not be displayed):
CLIENT1 DISPLAY(user_number_1) CLIENT2 DISPLAY(user_number_2)
hello ------------------> user_number_1: hello
user_number_2: hello <------------------ hello
this program rocks! ------------------> user_number_1: this program rocks!
user_number_2: me too <------------------ me too
A client's own username will not be displayed to themselves when they send a message. Client's can also enter certain commands that will not be transmitted to other clients. Commands begin with a forward slash (/) followed by specific text. The current commands are available:
COMMAND RESULT
/quit OR /q Disconnect and exit
/disconnect OR /dc Disconnect and exit
/exit OR /ex Disconnect and exit
Currently only disconnecting commands are available. More commands may be added at a later time. These commands are not sent to other clients UNLESS the user types a command incorrectly.