Client-Server-Chat-Application

This C program implements a simple client-server chat application using TCP sockets, allowing a client to connect to a server and exchange messages interactively.

Structure and Components

The program is organized into four files:

1. client.h - Defines functions for the client’s socket initialization, connection, message handling, and disconnection.
2. client.c - Main file for the client, establishing the connection to the server and facilitating message exchange.
3. server.h - Defines functions for the server’s socket initialization, binding, listening for client connections, message handling, and disconnection.
4. server.c - Main file for the server, waiting for and handling client connections and message exchange.

Key Functions

• initializeSocket: Creates a socket for communication on both client and server.
• connectToServer (client): Connects the client to the server using a specified address and port.
• bindSocket (server): Binds the server to a specific address and port.
• listenForClient (server): Sets the server to listen for incoming client connections.
• handleCommunication: Manages the message exchange between client and server. Both the client and server can type messages to send to each other and exit the chat by typing "exit."
• closeConnection: Closes the socket and cleans up resources on both client and server sides.

How It Works

1. Server Side:

   • The server initializes a socket, binds to an address and port (9001), and waits for incoming connections.
   • Once a client connects, the server enters a loop to handle message exchange with the client until one party sends "exit" or disconnects.

2. Client Side:

   • The client initializes a socket and attempts to connect to the server on port 9001.
   • Once connected, the client and server can exchange messages in a loop until "exit" is sent or a disconnection occurs.
   • The client records all messages in a transcript.txt file, logging both sent and received messages.

Usage

1. Start the server by running server.c.
2. Start the client by running client.c.
3. Both client and server can type messages and view each other's responses.
4. To exit the chat, either party can type "exit".