TCP/UDP Chat Application

Introduction

This repository contains a simple chat application implemented in Python that demonstrates the use of both TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol) for network communication. The application includes separate server and client scripts for each protocol, allowing users to explore the differences in how TCP and UDP handle data transmission.

Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Python 3.x
• Access to a command-line interface

Running the Application

Launch mode:

• You can use the implemented run options to select to run UDP or TCP Clients or Servers. There is also an option to run a Server with 3 Clients in one click.

Note: If you are going to run Servers and Clients via Bash or one by one with the launcher, in order to have a flawless experience, ALWAYS RUN THE SERVER FIRST!

Running via Bash:

TCP Chat

1. Start the TCP Server:
   • Navigate to the tcp directory.
   • Run the server script using Python:

     python3 server.py

2. Run the TCP Client:
   • Open a new command-line interface window.
   • Navigate to the tcp directory.
   • Start the client script:

     python3 client.py

UDP Chat

1. Start the UDP Server:
   • Navigate to the udp directory.
   • Run the server script:

     python3 server.py

2. Run the UDP Client:
   • Open a new command-line interface window.
   • Navigate to the udp directory.
   • Start the client script:

     python3 client.py

Features

1. Broadcast a message:
   • Using a client, type a message without any of the commands below and it will be broadcasted.
2. Send a Private Message:
   • Using a client, type:

     /pm [nickname] [message]

3. Send a .txt content to another client:
   • Using a client, type:

     /sendtxt [nickname] [filename]

   • Note: The file has to be into the tcp/ or udp/ folder depending on which you are using. There is already a testfile(TCP/UDP).txt to facilitate the usage.
4. Send a .txt file to another client:
   • Using a client, type:

     /sendfile [nickname] [filename]

   • Notes: The file has to be into the tcp/ or udp/ folder depending on which you are using. There is already some files: testfile(TCP/UDP).txt, 1200.txt (1200 bytes file), 2000.txt (2000 bytes file) to facilitate the usage.
   • The file will be sent to a folder path named inbox/{nickname}.
5. Exit with a client:
   • Using a client, type:

     /exit

Understanding TCP and UDP

• TCP is a connection-oriented protocol, ensuring that all packets arrive at their destination in the same order they were sent. This is ideal for applications where accuracy is critical, such as web browsing and email.

• UDP is a connectionless protocol, which does not guarantee packet order or delivery. This makes UDP faster and more efficient for applications where speed is more important than precision, such as streaming audio and video.

Conclusion

This chat application provides a basic framework for understanding and experimenting with TCP and UDP protocols. You can extend the functionality or adapt the code for different network communication scenarios.