Chatting Application using C++ (or C#)

[andrew13d]

Hey guys, I would like to create a chatting application with C++ or C#(preferably C++) that would run on a local computer network ( and internet if possible) ie enable users on a local computer network to chat. I'm kinda new to programming and I have only done the basics of C++ and some C#. Would someone please guide me on how to go about this.

[VernonDozier]

Hey guys, I would like to create a chatting application with C++ or C#(preferably C++) that would run on a local computer network ( and internet if possible) ie enable users on a local computer network to chat. I'm kinda new to programming and I have only done the basics of C++ and some C#. Would someone please guide me on how to go about this.

You are probably looking at some type of connection through sockets. If you are brand new at this, I suggest going through some socket tutorials/sample code till you get a handle on it. Some of this is operating system specific. For example, the link below is Linux-specific. There are many, many tutorials with sample code out there, so if you don;'t like one, move on to another.

http://www.linuxhowtos.org/C_C++/socket.htm

Here's another. This one works with Windows.

http://www.frostbytes.com/~jimf/papers/sockets/winsock.html

Here's a link to msdn for Windows Sockets 2.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms740673%28VS.85%29.aspx

Start with a two person chat program with one socket where one computer is the server and one is the client. Getting three or more computers working together increases the complexity, so conquer the two-computer scenario first. The above three links are among hundreds out there. Google "Windows Sockets Tutorial" or "Linux Sockets Tutorial" or "Visual Studio Sockets Tutorial" or some variation, and many, many good links come up.