kvu787 / chat

File-based, single machine chat service

Chat implements a basic file-based chat service for users logged into the same machine.

input starts a prompt to write into a shared chat log.

display prints the chat log and continually checks for new writes.

Sample usage

Alice and Bob are logged into the same machine. Each have root permissions. They agree to store their chat log in the file /cht.

Alice runs the following commands in separate terminals:

input -f /cht -p alice
display -f /cht

Bob also runs the following commands in separate terminals:

input -f /cht -p bob
display -f /cht

They can leave and reenter their chat by using the same chat log at /cht.