The server is implemented in C++ with QT. Although I only tested the compilation under Mac OS X and Linux, it should compile under all desktop environments supported by QT.

In order to build the server binary, you have to download and config the QT SDK for your target OS. Then enter the project folder, execute the following commands

qmake

make

You would expect a sucessful build, except a few compiler warnings. Now run the binary with

./chatty

The server will start and listen on port 8237.

It's encouraged to use telnet to communicate with the server. You can initiate the connection by running

telnet <ip> 8237

If the connection succeed, you will see a welcome message sent back from the server, something like

> Welcome to chatty, please tell us your name:

Please note that all server messages sent to you are starting with the prefix > . Now the server is asking for your login name (must be unique among all logged in users). Let's say we enter the name

wensa

> Welcome wensa!

Now you are connected to the server. However, you aren't able to talk to anyone until you enter a chat room. You can use the command /rooms to list existing chat rooms

/rooms

> * default

Then use /join to join a chat room

/join default

> Joining room: default

> * wensa (** this is you)

It looks like we are the only one in the new chat room. Imagine we invite a friend asnew to join this room, following the same procedure. Once he joins the chat room, we will see something like

> asnew has joined.

/who

> * asnew

> * wensa (** this is you)

Now we have two people in this room. We can start chatting! When you are in a chat room, any text you entered will be broadcasted to everyone in the same chat room. If you enter

hi there

> wensa: hi there

Then if asnew replied with hey, you will get a message like

> asnew: hey

If you are done with the chat, you can leave the chat room by using

/leave

> You left the room: default

Now if you use the command

/quit

Connection closed by foreign host.

You will be disconnected from the server.

If you want to send a message to someone in a chat room privately, you can use

/whisper asnew where are you?

> To asnew: where are you?

What asnew will see on his end is something like

> From wensa: where are you?

To run commands followed by arguments, such as /join, /whisper, you don't have to complete all arguments in a single shot. Instead, you can just type the command name itself, then the server will walk you through a wizard dialog to allow you enter individual arguments separately. For example

/whisper

> Please enter the name of the person to whisper, or type /abort to cancel the action

wensa

> Please enter the message to send, or type /abort to cancel the action

hey there

> To wensa: hey there

By default, there is only one chat room default. You can create more chat rooms by using

/create <roomname> [pin]

You can skip the optional pin argument if you want your chat room to be public (anyone can join). Otherwise

/create private pincode

> Room private created.

/rooms

> * default

> * private (** pin required)

You will see that a private room was created. When a user wants to join the room protected by a pin, he is required to enter the pin.

/join private

> Please enter the pin for the room, or enter /abort the cancel.

guess

> Incorrect pin!

> Please enter the pin for the room, or enter /abort the cancel.

pincode

> Joining room: private

> * wensa (** this is you)

Please note the server only supports 20 chat rooms at maximum.