Chat Application (Using Sockets & Multithreading)

Description

A real-time chat application that allows multiple users to communicate over a network using WebSockets. This project implements multithreading to efficiently handle multiple users while maintaining smooth communication.

Key Features

• Send and receive messages between multiple users.
• Real-time communication using WebSockets.
• Implements multithreading to efficiently handle multiple users.
• Non-blocking architecture using Node.js and Worker Threads.

Concepts Used

• Networking: WebSockets for real-time data transmission.
• Multithreading: Worker threads to manage multiple users concurrently.
• Event-driven Architecture: Asynchronous handling of connections.

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Installation & Setup

1. Clone the Repository

Run the following command:

git clone https://github.com/Gayatrisin123/WebTalker
cd WebTalker

2. Install Dependencies

Run the necessary command to install project dependencies:

npm install

3. Start the Server

Execute the command to start the server:

node server.js

4. Open in Browser

Visit the following URL in multiple tabs to simulate multiple users:

http://localhost:3000

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Implementation

1. Server-Side Implementation

The server initializes WebSockets and creates a worker thread for each connected user. It listens for messages, processes them, and broadcasts them to other users while maintaining efficient performance through multithreading.

2. Worker Thread Implementation

Each worker thread handles individual users to ensure efficient message processing. It manages user connections, processes messages, and ensures smooth real-time communication.

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How It Works

1. Sending and Receiving Messages

• Users connect to the server via WebSockets.
• The server listens for messages and assigns worker threads for handling them.
• Messages are processed and broadcasted to other connected users.

2. Multithreading for Multiple Users

• Each user is assigned a worker thread, ensuring smooth handling of multiple connections.
• The main server only manages connections, while worker threads process messages.

3. Event-Driven Architecture

• The application listens for events such as user messages and disconnections.
• Each event is processed asynchronously, preventing blocking operations.

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Future Improvements

• Implement private messaging between users.
• Add user authentication (Login & Register pages using React Router).
• Store chat history using a database (MongoDB, MySQL, etc.).
• Improve UI using React.js & Tailwind CSS.

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License

This project is open-source and available under the MIT License.