A custom IRC server implementation in C++98 that allows multiple clients to connect and communicate through channels and private messages.

• Overview
• Features
• Requirements
• Installation
• Usage
• Supported IRC Commands
• Channel Modes
• Testing
• Project Structure
• Team Members

This project implements an IRC (Internet Relay Chat) server following the IRC protocol specifications. The server can handle multiple simultaneous client connections without blocking, using non-blocking I/O operations and epoll for efficient event handling. Additionally, the project includes an IRC bot that connects to the server and can interact with users.

The implementation follows the C++98 standard and includes all mandatory IRC features plus bonus functionalities.

• ✅ Multi-client support - Handle multiple simultaneous connections
• ✅ Non-blocking I/O - Uses epoll for efficient event handling
• ✅ User authentication - Password-protected server access
• ✅ Channel management - Create, join, and manage channels
• ✅ Private messaging - Direct client-to-client communication
• ✅ Operator privileges - Channel operator system with special commands

• ✅ Channel creation - Automatic channel creation on first join
• ✅ Channel modes - Support for invite-only, topic restrictions, keys, and user limits
• ✅ Operator commands - KICK, INVITE, TOPIC, MODE
• ✅ Message broadcasting - Messages sent to all channel members
• ✅ Channel member management - Track and manage channel members and operators
• ✅ Channel topic system - View and modify channel topics with operator restrictions
• ✅ Channel invitation system - Invite-only channels with waitlist management

• ✅ Password protection - Server-wide password authentication
• ✅ Error handling - Comprehensive error responses following IRC standards
• ✅ Memory management - No memory leaks, proper resource cleanup
• ✅ Partial message handling - Handles TCP packet fragmentation
• ✅ Logging system - Comprehensive logging for debugging and monitoring
• ✅ Input validation - Strict nickname and command parameter validation

• Compiler: c++ with C++98 standard support
• Operating System: Unix-like systems (Linux, macOS)
• Dependencies: Standard C++ libraries only (no external libraries)
• IRC Client: Any standard IRC client (HexChat, irssi, WeeChat, etc.)

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/mchouikr/ft_irc.git
   cd ft_irc

2. Compile the project:

   make

   This builds both the server (ircserv) and the bot (ircbot).

3. Clean build files (optional):

   make clean    # Remove object files
   make fclean   # Remove object files and executable
   make re       # Clean rebuild

./ircserv <port> <password>

Parameters:

• <port>: The port number for the IRC server (e.g., 6667)
• <password>: Connection password required by clients

Example:

./ircserv 6667 password

./ircbot <port> <password> <nickname>

Parameters:

• <port>: The port number for the IRC server (e.g., 6667)
• <password>: Connection password required by clients
• <nickname>: The nickname for the bot (must be 1-9 chars, start with a letter or special char)

Example:

./ircbot 6667 password bot

• Auto-connect and Authentication: The bot automatically connects to the server and authenticates using the provided password.
• Channel Interaction: The bot can join channels and respond to commands.
• Commands:
  • !help: Displays available commands.
  • !say <message>: Repeats the message in the channel or private message.
• PING/PONG: The bot responds to server PING messages to maintain the connection.
• Logging: Comprehensive logging for debugging and monitoring.

• PASS <password> - Authenticate with server password
• NICK <nickname> - Set or change nickname (must be 1-9 chars, start with letter or special char)
• USER <username> <hostname> <servername> <realname> - Set user information
• CAP - Handle client capabilities negotiation

• JOIN <channel> [key] - Join a channel (creates if doesn't exist)
  • Requires channel key if channel is password protected
  • Cannot join if channel is invite-only without invitation
  • Cannot join if channel is full (user limit reached)
• PART <channel> [reason] - Leave a channel
• PRIVMSG <target> <message> - Send message to channel or user
• MSG <target> <message> - Alias for PRIVMSG
• NOTICE <target> <message> - Send notice to channel or user
• TOPIC <channel> [topic] - View or set channel topic
• NAMES <channel> - List users in a channel

• KICK <channel> <user> [reason] - Remove user from channel (channel operator only)
• INVITE <user> <channel> - Invite user to channel (channel operator only)
• MODE <channel> <mode> [parameters] - Change channel modes (channel operator only)

• PING <server> - Server ping (keep-alive)
• PONG <server> - Server pong response
• DCC <type> <target> [params] - DCC message relay (forwards DCC messages between clients)

The server supports the following channel modes:

Examples:

MODE #channel +i              # Make channel invite-only
MODE #channel +k secretkey    # Set channel password
MODE #channel +l 50           # Limit channel to 50 users
MODE #channel +o alice        # Give operator status to alice
MODE #channel -i              # Remove invite-only mode

# Terminal 1: Start server
./ircserv 6667 password

# Terminal 2: Connect client 1
nc -C localhost 6667
PASS password
NICK alice
USER alice 0 * :Alice User
JOIN #test

# Terminal 3: Connect client 2
nc -C localhost 6667
PASS password
NICK bob
USER bob 0 * :Bob User
JOIN #test
PRIVMSG #test :Hello everyone!

nc -C localhost 6667
com^Dman^Dd

Use Ctrl+D to send the command in parts: 'com', then 'man', then 'd\n'.

• HexChat (GUI, user-friendly)
• irssi (terminal-based)
• WeeChat (terminal-based)
• IRCCloud (web-based)

ft_irc/
├── Makefile                     # Build configuration
├── server/                      # Server component
│   ├── includes/                # Header files
│   │   ├── Server.hpp           # Server class definition
│   │   ├── Client.hpp           # Client class definition
│   │   ├── Channel.hpp          # Channel class definition
│   │   ├── MessageHandler.hpp   # Command processing
│   │   ├── ErrorsAndReplies.hpp # IRC response codes
│   │   └── Logger.hpp           # Logging system
│   └── srcs/                    # Source files
│       ├── main.cpp             # Entry point
│       ├── Server.cpp           # Server implementation
│       ├── Client.cpp           # Client implementation
│       ├── Channel.cpp          # Channel implementation
│       ├── MessageHandler.cpp   # Command processing logic
│       └── Logger.cpp           # Logging implementation
├── bot/                         # Bot component
│   ├── includes/                # Header files
│   │   ├── Bot.hpp              # Bot class definition
│   │   ├── ErrorsAndRepliesBot.hpp # Bot response codes
│   │   ├── Logger.hpp           # Logging system
│   │   └── MessageHandler.hpp   # Bot command processing
│   └── srcs/                    # Source files
│       ├── main.cpp             # Entry point
│       ├── Bot.cpp              # Bot implementation
│       ├── MessageHandler.cpp   # Bot command processing logic
│       └── Logger.cpp           # Logging implementation
└── README.md                    # Project documentation

• IRC RFC 1459 - Original IRC Protocol
• IRC RFC 2812 - Internet Relay Chat: Client Protocol
• IRC Numeric Replies - Complete list of IRC response codes

• clmanouk
• mchouikr
• pfischof

This project was developed as part of the 42 School curriculum.