how to develop a chat application/system?

[@n!e]

I'm trying to develop a chat system which will be implemented into computers with cross platform (windows & linux). It's mainly like other existing chat sys( such as icq & msn messenger), which is able to share/message/chat information.

If i want to do such cross-platform chat system (compatible with windows and linux), what language that u guys recommend? i'm thinking of using java. and what things i need to know b4 doing this kind of system?:blink:

 

[Kevin Ar18]

deleted

 

[Zedric]

Java sound like a good idea. When you make the GUI, make sure you use Swing instead of AWT. Swing is much newer and much more bug free.

 

[Zedric]

In reply to your PM:

But may i know what are the ares of networking should i concentrate on, if i'm developing a system like icq? Besides, what else should i understand in order to come out with a cross platform kind of chat system?
My scope of crossplatform is within windows n linux. What do i need to know from this both platform? But at the moment i've downloaded existing chat application(eg. icq, licq). Thanks in advance.

What you should look at is Sockets in Java (and Streams for this). You need to use sockets to send and receive data. You will also need to develop a communcation protocol to be used.
There will need to be a server to keep track of users and authentication.
Since it's Java, not much consideration should have to be taken to the platform.

Stuff you need to know about (at least):
- Basic networking, how it works
- Socket communication
- Server-client systems
- Multi-user system
- Databases (for the server)

Remember that the server doesn't have to be platform independant, or even written in Java. You could also make platform specific clients while still having a platform independant chat system (like ICQ).