Multithreaded C++ Chat Server

A high-performance, feature-rich multithreaded chat server implemented in modern C++ using epoll, sockets, threads, and synchronization primitives. Supports multiple rooms, user authentication, colored output, and administrative commands.

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🚀 Features

• ✅ Multithreaded server using std::thread
• ✅ Epoll-based I/O multiplexing for efficient socket management
• ✅ Room-based chat (join, create, leave rooms)
• ✅ User registration and login with basic auth
• ✅ Admin controls: kick users, private rooms
• ✅ Colored messages: SYSTEM, PRIVATE, USER
• ✅ Thread-safe logging with timestamps
• ✅ Server statistics: uptime, total connections, messages
• ✅ Graceful shutdown (Ctrl+C)

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🧱 Project Structure

chat-server/
├── Client.cpp           # Complete chat server logic
├── Server.cpp           # Optional extended version with CLI args and monitoring
├── README.md            # Project documentation

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🛠️ Build Instructions

Prerequisites

• g++ (C++17+)
• Linux (epoll is Linux-specific)

Build

g++ Client.cpp -o chat_server -pthread

Or if you're using the advanced version:

g++ Server.cpp -o chat_server -pthread

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🧪 Run the Server

./chat_server [port]

Default port: 8888

Example:

./chat_server 8888

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🖥️ Connect a Client

Use telnet or nc (netcat):

telnet 127.0.0.1 8888

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💬 Command List

• /login <user> <pass> – Log in
• /register <user> <pass> – Register
• /join <room> [pass] – Join room
• /create <room> [pass] – Create new room
• /list – List rooms
• /who – See members in current room
• /msg <user> <msg> – Private message
• /kick <user> – Kick user (admin only)
• /stats – Server stats
• /quit – Disconnect

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🎨 Message Types

• SYSTEM: Yellow
• PRIVATE: Magenta
• USER: Cyan timestamp + green username

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📂 Logs

• Stored in chat_server.log
• Timestamped and thread-safe

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🧩 Advanced CLI Options (Server.cpp only)

./chat_server -p <port> -l <log_file> -v

Flags:

• -p / --port: Set port
• -l / --log: Set log file path
• -v / --verbose: Enable verbose logging

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📊 Example Output

[12:01:01] [SYSTEM] User Darelene joined the room
[12:01:02] Darelene: Hello everyone!
[12:01:05] [PRIVATE] Admin: Please check your DM