Simple Socket Chat Server

Overview

A multi-user TCP chat server using Python sockets and threads.
Implements:

• LOGIN
• MSG
• WHO
• DM
• PING → PONG
• Idle timeout + disconnect notifications

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⚙️ Setup

1. Install Python 3.8+
2. Clone or copy this project:

   git clone <your-repo> socket-chat
   cd socket-chat

3. Run the server

python3 chat_server.py  

4. Connect two or more clients using either of the two ways:
   A. Netcat:

nc localhost 4000
LOGIN Alice
MSG Hello everyone!  

B. Python client:

python3 chat_client.py --host 127.0.0.1 --port 4000  

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🧠 Example Session

Client 1:

LOGIN ashutosh
OK
MSG hello everyone...how are all of you?  

Client 2:

LOGIN shristi
OK
MSG hey ashutosh!

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🧪 Optional Commands

Command	Description
WHO	Lists active users
DM <username> <text>	Sends a private message to the specified user
PING	Replies with PONG
ERR	Returned on invalid input
INFO <username> disconnected	Shown when someone leaves the chat

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🧰 Demo Video

Watch the working demo here: Demo