Java Chat Room

This Java Chat Room Application is a simple yet effective real-time communication tool built using Java's robust networking and concurrency features. It allows multiple users to connect to a chat server and communicate with each other through text messages. Each user is represented by a unique color, enhancing the chat room's visual appeal and user distinction.

Project Specifics

• Server-Client Architecture: The application follows a classic server-client model. The server manages client connections, maintains a list of active users, and handles message broadcasting.
• Multithreading: Both server and client sides employ multithreading to handle multiple client connections and simultaneous read-write operations efficiently.
• Network Communication: Utilizes Java's Socket programming for network communication, with ObjectOutputStream and ObjectInputStream to send and receive messages.
• Terminal-Based Interface: The application runs in the console, making it lightweight and easily runnable on various environments.

Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Java Development Kit (JDK) installed on your system.

Accessing the Repo/Files

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/Simon-Blamo/Java-Chat-Room.git

2. Navigate to the Java Chat Room directory:

   cd Java-Chat-Room

Running the Server

1. Open a terminal or command prompt.

2. Navigate to the directory containing the Server.java file.

3. Compile the ChatUser helper file: javac ChatUser.java

4. Start the server:

   java Server.java

5. The server will start and display its IP address.

Running the Client

1. Open a new terminal or command prompt for each client.

2. Navigate to the directory containing the Client.java file.

3. Start the client:

   java Client.java

4. Enter the server's IP address as prompted.

5. Enter a username as prompted.

6. Start chatting! Type exit to leave the chat room.

Interaction

• After connecting, type messages in the client's console and press Enter to send.
• Each message from different users will appear in unique colors.

Disclaimer

• This application is developed for educational purposes and demonstrates basic Java networking and multithreading concepts.
• It runs in a local network environment and is not intended for use over the internet.
• User interface is console-based, limiting the scope of visual customization and user interaction features.