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TCP Chat Server

Build a multi-client TCP chat server from scratch in modern C++ using POSIX sockets and the standard library only. You accept many connections, multiplex them with select or poll, and broadcast each message to every other participant. A focused introduction to network programming and event-driven I/O.

~7 hours

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What You'll Build

A TCP chat server that lets multiple clients connect at once, assigns each a nickname, and relays every message to all other connected users in real time.

Learning Objectives

  • Create, bind, and listen on a TCP socket with the POSIX sockets API
  • Accept multiple client connections and track them in a container
  • Multiplex many sockets with select or poll for non-blocking I/O
  • Frame and buffer partial messages across recv calls
  • Broadcast a received message to every other connected client
  • Handle client disconnects and clean up file descriptors
  • Manage per-client state such as nickname and buffer in a struct

Coming Soon

This project is in development. Register your interest and we'll email you the moment it goes live.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Coming Soon

This project is in development. Register your interest and we'll email you the moment it goes live.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.