Chat Application

Overview

This repository contains two chat applications: ChatAppTCP and ChatAppUDP. Both applications allow multiple users to communicate in real-time via a graphical user interface (GUI).

• ChatAppTCP: Uses the TCP protocol to ensure reliable communication.
• ChatAppUDP: Uses the UDP protocol for faster, but less reliable communication.

Features

• User registration and login.
• Real-time messaging.
• Display of connected users.
• User-friendly GUI.
• Server-side logging and control panel for the TCP application.

Requirements

• Java SE Development Kit (JDK) 8 or higher.
• Network connection.

Usage

ChatAppTCP

The TCP-based chat application provides a reliable messaging service, ensuring messages are delivered in the correct order and without loss.

Server

1. First, run ServerMain.java.
2. Start the server using the "Start Server" button in the GUI.
3. Monitor connected users and server status.
4. Optionally, stop the server using the "Stop Server" button.

Client

1. Run ClientMain.java.
2. Enter your username in the prompted dialog.
3. The client connects to the server at localhost on port 8000.
4. Use the GUI to send messages and see the list of connected users.

Directory Structure

• Client.java: Manages the client's connection, sending and receiving messages.
• ClientGUI.java: Provides the client's GUI.
• ClientMain.java: Entry point for the client application.
• Server.java: Manages client connections and broadcasts messages.
• ServerGUI.java: Provides the server's GUI.
• ServerListener.java: Handles communication with individual clients.
• ServerMain.java: Entry point for the server application.
• User.java: Represents a user and maintains a list of connected users.

ChatAppUDP

The UDP-based chat application provides a faster messaging service, but without the guarantees of message order and delivery.

Client

1. Run Main.java file to start up the client.
2. Enter your username in the prompted dialog.
3. The client connects to the server using multicast address 234.235.236.237 on port 8000.
4. Use the GUI to send messages and see the list of connected users.

Directory Structure

• GUI.java: Provides the client's GUI.
• Main.java: Entry point for the client application.
• NetworkReceiver.java: Handles receiving messages from the server using UDP.
• NetworkSender.java: Handles sending messages to the server using UDP.
• User.java: Represents a user and maintains a list of connected users.

Notes

• Ensure the server is running before starting the clients.
• The TCP application is configured to connect to localhost on port 8000. Modify the source code if a different address or port is required. The UDP application is using multicast for external communication.
• Both TCP and UDP applications use the same User.java class for representing users.