WindowsSocketWhisper – TCP & UDP Chat System

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1. Project Overview

1.1 Why

WindowsSocketWhisper demonstrates Windows-specific socket programming, showcasing both TCP (reliable) and UDP (fast) protocols.
Ideal for learning network programming, protocol differences, and real-time messaging systems.

1.2 What

A production-grade, terminal-based chat system in C++ with dual protocol support:

• TCP: Reliable, connection-oriented communication
• UDP: Fast, connectionless broadcast messaging
• Multi-client handling, authentication, file transfer, and command history

1.3 How (High-Level)

• TCP: Three-way handshake, ordered delivery, guaranteed messages
• UDP: Connectionless, low-latency messaging, broadcast support
• Winsock2 API for Windows socket programming
• Multi-threaded server and concurrent client handling
• Local storage for credentials and command history

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2. Features

• 🔐 Secure Authentication – Username/password validation
• 💬 Dual Protocol Support – Compare TCP reliability vs UDP speed
• 🎨 Rich Console UI – Color-coded messages and organized display
• 📁 File Transfer Capability – Send and receive files
• 👥 Multi-Client Support – Handle concurrent users
• ⏱️ Command History – Track and retrieve previous commands
• 🔔 Real-time Notifications – Join/leave alerts and status updates
• 🌐 Broadcast Messaging – UDP-only feature
• 📊 Network Educational Value – Learn protocol behaviors

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3. Tech Stack

• Language: C++11+
• Platform: Windows XP or newer
• Networking: Winsock2 (ws2_32.lib)
• Compiler: GCC/MinGW recommended
• Concurrency: Threads for TCP server handling
• Storage: Local userdata.txt for credentials

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4. Project Structure

WindowsSocketWhisper/
│── TCP_Version/
│   ├── server.cpp
│   ├── client.cpp
│   └── userdata.txt
│── UDP_Version/
│   ├── server.cpp
│   ├── client.cpp
│   └── userdata.txt
│── README.md
│── .gitignore

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5. Setup & Usage

5.1 Prerequisites

• MinGW or GCC with Winsock2 support
• Windows XP or newer
• Local network or loopback testing

5.2 Compilation

TCP Version

cd TCP_Version
g++ -std=c++11 -o server.exe server.cpp -lws2_32 -Wall
g++ -std=c++11 -o client.exe client.cpp -lws2_32 -Wall

UDP Version

cd UDP_Version
g++ -std=c++11 -o server.exe server.cpp -lws2_32 -Wall
g++ -std=c++11 -o client.exe client.cpp -lws2_32 -Wall

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6. Major Components

6.1 TCP Server

• Connection-oriented, reliable message delivery
• Handles authentication, multiple clients, file transfer
• Thread-safe using CRITICAL_SECTION
• Ports: 8080 (configurable)

6.2 TCP Client

• Connects to TCP server
• Handles authentication, messaging, file transfer
• Maintains command history locally

6.3 UDP Server

• Connectionless, fast broadcast messaging
• Tracks connected client addresses
• Ports: 8081 (configurable)

6.4 UDP Client

• Sends/receives datagrams asynchronously
• Updates user status and command history

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7. Security & Authentication

• Username/password stored in userdata.txt
• Credentials format: username password (space-separated, case-sensitive)
• TCP: Authentication before messaging
• UDP: Optional status updates with authentication check

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8. Logging & Monitoring

• Command history saved per user locally
• Server console displays connection status, notifications
• UDP: Broadcast join/leave alerts
• TCP: Reliable message logging (in-memory or optional file output)

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9. Workflow / Execution

9.1 Server Start

• TCP/UDP server binds to configured port
• Listens (TCP) or receives datagrams (UDP)

9.2 Client Connect

• TCP: Three-way handshake, authentication
• UDP: Direct datagram send/receive, authentication optional

9.3 Messaging Loop

• TCP: Ordered, acknowledged messages
• UDP: Low-latency, potential packet loss

9.4 Session Termination

• Client command (/exit) or server shutdown
• TCP: Graceful connection close
• UDP: Stateless termination

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10. Learning Outcomes

• Windows socket programming with TCP and UDP
• Understanding protocol trade-offs: reliability vs speed
• Multi-threaded server design
• Real-time messaging and broadcast systems
• File transfer over TCP/UDP

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11. Limitations

• Terminal-only interface
• Max 10 concurrent clients (configurable)
• No encryption (plaintext credentials/messages)
• UDP messages not guaranteed delivery

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12. Future Improvements

• Add SSL/TLS encryption
• Replace userdata.txt with SQLite/MySQL
• Group chat / channels
• Multi-file transfer with progress
• Audio streaming / voice chat
• Web or mobile client interface
• Persistent message history
• Admin management dashboard

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13. Ethical & Legal Notice ⚠️

• Educational use only
• Controlled testing environment
• Unauthorized network use or malicious activity prohibited

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14. Author & Contact

Name: Mohid Umer
Email: mohidumer112@gmail.com

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15. License

• Provided for educational purposes
• See repository license file for details

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WindowsSocketWhisper is a learning project for Windows network programming and TCP/UDP protocol experimentation. Feedback and collaboration are welcome.

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