JIRC: Java IRC Server

JIRC is an Internet Relay Chat (IRC) server written in Java. IRC is a protocol that provides a way for people to communicate in real time. It's primarily designed for group communication in discussion forums, known as channels, but also allows one-on-one communication via private messages.

Current Features

• Server Configuration: The server uses a hardcoded configuration with a hostname, port, name, and password.

• Channel Management: The server supports the creation and management of channels. Users connected to the server can join these channels to participate in group communication.

• Client Handling: The server handles multiple clients concurrently. It processes messages from connected clients and sends each message for further processing.

• Broadcasting Messages: The server can broadcast a message to all connected clients, or to all clients in a specific channel.

• Direct Messages: The server supports direct one-on-one communication between users.

• Sending Messages to Specific Clients: The server can send a message to a specific client.

Implemented Commands

• AWAY: Marks user as away or returns them.
• DIE: Shuts the server down.
• INFO: Returns information about a server's configuration.
• INVITE: Invites a user to a channel.
• ISON: Checks if certain nicks are online.
• JOIN: Joins one or more channels.
• KICK: Removes a user from a channel.
• KILL: Removes a user from the server (used by operators).
• LIST: Lists channels and their topics.
• MODE: Sets or retrieves user or channel mode.
• MOTD: Retrieves the "Message of the Day".
• NAMES: Lists users in a channel or all channels.
• NICK: Changes or sets a user's nickname.
• NOTICE: Sends a notice message to a user or channel.
• OPER: Authenticates as an IRC operator.
• PART: Leaves one or more channels.
• PING: Checks for an active client or server connection.
• PRIVMSG: Sends a private message to a user or channel.
• QUIT: Quits from the server.
• RESTART: Restarts the server.
• TIME: Requests the local time from a server.
• TOPIC: Gets or sets the topic for a channel.
• USER: Used at login to specify user information.
• WHO: Returns a list of users matching a criteria.
• WHOIS: Returns information about a user.

Unimplemented Commands (RFC 1459 & RFC 2812):

• ADMIN: Retrieves administrative details about a server.
• ERROR: Reports an error message.
• PASS: Sets a connection password during registration.
• PONG: Response to a PING message, confirming the connection is alive.
• REHASH: Forces the server to reload or update its configuration.
• STATS: Requests server statistics.
• USERHOST: Returns a list of hostnames for the specified nicknames.
• USERS: Returns a list of users logged into the system.
• VERSION: Queries the version of a server.
• WALLOPS: Sends a message to all operators.
• WHOWAS: Returns information about a user who was previously online.

Unimplemented Commands (Unformal):

• KNOCK: Sends a NOTICE to an invite-only channel requesting an invite

Commands planned for future

These commands are unimplemented as they are related to server-to-server communication which is not the current focus.

• CONNECT: Forces a server to try to establish a new connection to another server.
• LINKS: Lists all server links known by the server answering the query.
• LUSERS: Returns statistics about the size of the network.
• SERVICE: Registers a new service.
• SERVLIST: Lists services currently connected to the network.
• SQUERY: Sends a message to a service.
• SQUIT: Disconnects server links.
• SUMMON: Summons a user to IRC.
• TRACE: Finds the route to a user or server.

Planned Server Features

• User Authentication: Implement a user authentication system to allow each user to have their own username and password. Implement NickServ.

• Persistent Data: Integrate a database to store persistent data such as chat history or user information.

• Server Configuration File: Move the server's configuration to a configuration file that the server reads on startup.

• Security Features: Implement security features like encryption for messages.

• Extending IRC Features: Implement more IRC features like user modes, channel modes, etc.

• Server Commands: Implement commands that administrators can use to manage the server (like kicking or banning users, changing server settings, etc.).

• Logging: Implement more extensive logging to help with debugging and understanding server operation.

• Desktop or Web UI: Implement a desktop UI for simple server management or a web UI for remote management.

Contributing

Pull requests are welcome. For major changes, please open an issue first to discuss what you would like to change.

License

MIT