Socket Messenger

Description

A simple client–server messenger written in Python.

Features:

• Multiple clients can connect to a central server.
• Clients are identified by user-provided names.
• Clients can send messages directly to other clients (no broadcast).
• All messages, client info, and connection states exist only during runtime.
• No login, database, or persistent storage yet.
• Built with Python libraries: socket, threading, dotenv, os.

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Requirements

Local setup

• Python 3.10+
• py -m pip install -r requirements.txt

Docker setup

• Docker Desktop
• WSL 2

The project includes Dockerfiles for both server and client, and a docker-compose.yml to simplify running multiple clients and the server.

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Usage

Method 1 — Local Python

1. Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/YehorSolonukha/socket_messenger
cd socket_messenger

2. Run the server:

python ./server_side/src/server_main.py

3. Run clients in separate terminals:

python ./client_side/src/client_main.py

4. Enter a username for each client to connect and start messaging

Method 2 — Docker auto (recommended)

1. Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/YehorSolonukha/socket_messenger
cd socket_messenger

2. Run Docker Desktop
3. (after Docker Desktop is loaded) Run the script for auto-setup:

.\windows_docker_setup.ps1

4. Enter a username for each client to connect and start messaging