*This project was created as part of the 42 curriculum by @sarherna, @artkacp, @oostapen.

This is a clean study copy — original repo: SaraitHernandez/irc_server*

ft_irc — Internet Relay Chat server

Description

ft_irc is a TCP IRC server written in C++98. It accepts multiple simultaneous clients, parses IRC-style lines (CRLF-delimited), and implements authentication, channels, private and channel messaging, and channel operator commands with modes (+i, +t, +k, +o, +l).

The goal is to understand non-blocking network I/O: a single poll() loop, non-blocking sockets, buffering of partial reads, and safe client lifecycle (connect, register, commands, disconnect).

More protocol and design detail: docs/IRC_LOGIC_AND_DATA_STRUCTURE.md and docs/TEAM_CONVENTIONS.md.

Instructions

Prerequisites

• A C++ compiler with C++98 support (c++ / clang++ / g++)
• make
• Optional: nc (netcat) for quick manual tests; an IRC client (e.g. Halloy, irssi) for full client testing

Compilation

make

make re cleans and rebuilds. The binary is ircserv.

Execution

./ircserv <port> <password>

Example:

./ircserv 6667 mypassword

The server listens on TCP IPv4 on the given port. Clients must send PASS with the configured password before NICK / USER (strict order: PASS → NICK → USER).

Quick client example (netcat)

nc localhost 6667
PASS mypassword
NICK alice
USER alice 0 * :Alice Smith
JOIN #test
PRIVMSG #test :Hello
QUIT :Bye

Automated tests (optional)

With the server already running:

./tests/run_manual_tests.sh [port] [password]

Defaults: port 8080, password test. See tests/MANUAL_TESTING_GUIDE.md for manual scenarios.

Memory checks

• macOS: leaks --atExit -- ./ircserv 6667 test123 (then exercise the server and stop it)
• Linux: valgrind --leak-check=full ./ircserv 6667 test123

Features (summary)

Area	Commands / behaviour
Connection	PASS, NICK, USER, PING / PONG, QUIT
Channels	JOIN, PART, PRIVMSG (users and channels)
Operators	KICK, INVITE, TOPIC, MODE
Modes	+i invite-only, +t topic lock, +k key, +o op, +l user limit

Technical constraints: one poll(), non-blocking fcntl, message reassembly via a buffer, case-insensitive nick/channel matching with display case preserved.

Resources

IRC and networking

• RFC 2812 — Internet Relay Chat: Client Protocol
• RFC 2811 — Channel Management (modes, context)
• RFC 1459 — Original IRC (historical)
• Beej’s Guide to Network Programming — sockets, poll, error handling

Project documentation

• docs/TEAM_CONVENTIONS.md — module boundaries and reply formats
• docs/IRC_LOGIC_AND_DATA_STRUCTURE.md — data structures and flows
• tests/MANUAL_TESTING_GUIDE.md — evaluation-oriented test checklist

Use of AI

AI-assisted tools (e.g. coding assistants) were used non-exclusively for: drafting or revising documentation, brainstorming test ideas, and occasional code review or refactoring suggestions. Design decisions, protocol behaviour, and final code remain the responsibility of the authors.

License

This repository is part of the 42 curriculum and is intended for educational use.