jkga / py_chat_tcp

Python Chat Application for IT238

Python Chat Application via Socket

This project is for the completion of the Laboratory Exercise #1, Laboratory Exercise #2, and Laboratory Exercise #3 for IT 238 - Network and Client/Server Computing.

Exercise #1

Simple Client-Server Chat application using Python TCP/IP Socket Programming.

Program Description:

The server process runs on your Linux machine that waits for a client to establish a TCP/IP connection. The client may run on your laptop or any other client device with a network connection to your server. Once a connection is established, the client/server may send chat messages between each other. Display in a scrolling screen the exchange of messages. Messages are entered in a message entry box and are sent as a stream after pressing the <enter> key. Pressing <ctrl-x> will terminate the program.

Exercise #2

Multiple Client to one Server Chat application using UDP Broadcast

Program Description:

Extend your simple client-server chat application in Lab Exer 1 to allow multiple clients to join in the chat (or bulletin board). Clients establish a connection with the server by registering a name. The server receives text message streams from the client and sends a copy of the message to all other clients by IP broadcast. All chat screens must be the same for all clients and servers.

Exercise #3

Multiple Client to one Server Chat Application with private chat using Remote Method Invocation

Program Description:

Extend your Multiple Client to one Server Chat Application to allow group registration and private chat using Pyro5 (https://pypi.org/project/Pyro5/). Clients register to the server to indicate to everyone that they are available for a private chat. Clients may now invite other clients to a private chat session using RMI to exchange messages directly.

Dependencies

• python3
• python3-tk
• customtkinter
• Pillow
• python-dotenv
• Pyro5

Starting the Application via Command Line Interface (CLI)

  python3 ./src/app/main.py

Download Executable Package

Binary package for both TCP and UDP are included on pre-release builds.

• MacOs v12.4 (Apple Silicon M1)
• Ubuntu v22.04LTS
• MacOs v12.4 (Apple Silicon M1) w/ Remote Method Invocation Support
• Ubuntu v22.04LTS w/ Remote Method Invocation Support

Network Connection

To change the default connection from TCP to UDP, edit the configuration in .env file

  CONNECTION_TYPE=TCP

Server Options

TCP | UDP

User Interface

Shifting from Server to Client

The software can act as a server and a client simultaneously.

Custom Client/Server Name

Your name will be visible to all connected clients but will not affect the previous messages

Notice

• The software supports both TCP and UDP
• Built-in server will start automatically once you open the software depending on the CONNECTION_TYPE specified in .env file
• Both connection types support multiple connections
• You MUST wait until the IP address and port is free from the previous TCP connection, otherwise, you will receive an address error
• You can still use the software as a chat client even in the event where the built-in server is not running
• The developer used the pyinstaller module to create distributable packages fo various operating systems

To Do

• Make a window option for selecting a connection type (TCP|UDP), instead of setting the configuration from runtime
• add support for different colors of chat bubbles
• Add support for choosing an avatar