This project has been created as part of the 42 curriculum by elel-m-b, mbrouk, anlibrin.

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Description

ft_irc is a custom implementation of an Internet Relay Chat (IRC) server written in C++98 as part of the 42 curriculum.

The objective of this project is to understand how IRC works internally by implementing a server that follows the IRC protocol (RFC 1459 / RFC 2812 concepts). The server allows multiple clients to connect simultaneously, authenticate, join channels, communicate, and manage channels using IRC commands.

The server is designed to work with standard IRC clients such as irssi, allowing real-world testing without modifying the client.

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Main Features

• IRC server implemented in C++98
• Non-blocking sockets
• Single poll() event loop
• Multiple simultaneous clients
• Password authentication
• User registration (PASS, NICK, USER)
• Channel creation and management
• Private messaging
• Channel messaging
• Operator privileges
• Channel modes
• Compatible with standard IRC clients (e.g. irssi)

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Mandatory Commands

Registration

• PASS
• NICK
• USER

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Communication

• PRIVMSG

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Channels

• JOIN
• PART
• TOPIC
• INVITE
• KICK

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Operators

• MODE

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Project Structure

.
├── bot/
├── cmds/
├── includes/
├── srcs/
├── main.cpp
├── Makefile
├── README.md
└── ...

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Instructions

Clone the repository

git clone git@github.com:elel-m-b/IRC-Server.git
cd ft_irc

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Compile

make

This generates the executable:

ircserv

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Run the server

./ircserv <port> <password>

Example:

./ircserv 6667 mypassword

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Connecting with irssi

Install irssi:

Ubuntu:

sudo apt install irssi

Start irssi:

irssi

Connect to the server:

/connect 127.0.0.1 6667 mypassword

Choose a nickname:

/nick alice

Join a channel:

/join #general

Send a message:

Hello everyone!

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Example with netcat

You can also test the server manually.

nc -C 127.0.0.1 6667

Example registration:

PASS mypassword
NICK alice
USER alice 0 * :Alice

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Channel Modes

The server supports the mandatory channel modes required by the subject:

Mode	Description
i	Invite-only channel
t	Only operators can change the topic
k	Password protected channel
o	Give/remove operator privileges
l	User limit

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Resources

IRC Documentation

• https://medium.com/@mohcin.ghalmi/irc-server-internet-relay-chat-bd08e4f469f8
• https://medium.com/@mohamedsarda/ft-irc-channels-and-command-management-ff1ff3758a0b
• https://www.alien.net.au/irc/irc2numerics.html
• https://modern.ircdocs.horse/

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Linux Documentation

man pages

• man socket
• man bind
• man listen
• man accept
• man connect
• man recv
• man send
• man poll

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IRC Client

irssi

https://irssi.org/

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AI Usage

Artificial Intelligence tools (ChatGPT) were used throughout the development of this project as a learning and productivity aid.

AI assistance included:

• Understanding socket programming and networking concepts.
• Explaining system calls such as socket(), bind(), listen(), accept(), connect(), recv(), send(), and poll().

All architecture decisions, implementation, debugging, testing, and final source code were designed, written, and validated by the project authors.

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Authors

• elel-m-b
• mbrouk
• anlibrin

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License

This project was developed for educational purposes as part of the 42 School curriculum.

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