Webserv

This project involves creating a simple HTTP server in C++98 that can handle various HTTP requests, just like NGINX or Apache. It is designed to give you a deep understanding of the HTTP protocol, which is essential for web development and related systems.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• General Rules
• Mandatory Features
• Bonus Features
• Configuration
• Building and Running the Project
• Testing
• Submission and Evaluation

Introduction

The goal of this project is to implement a fully-functional HTTP server. The server should be able to handle HTTP requests, manage connections, and serve both static and dynamic content. The project is designed to provide a strong foundation in networking and the HTTP protocol.

General Rules

• The server must be written in C++98.
• The server should never crash or quit unexpectedly.
• You must provide a Makefile that supports the following targets: all, clean, fclean, re.
• Compile with -Wall, -Wextra, and -Werror flags.
• The project must be compatible with both Linux and MacOS environments.
• You are not allowed to use any external libraries, including Boost.
• The code must comply with the C++98 standard.

Mandatory Features

The core requirements for the server include:

• Non-blocking I/O: The server must be fully non-blocking using poll(), select(), or other equivalents.
• HTTP Methods: The server must support GET, POST, and DELETE requests.
• Static Content: Serve static files such as HTML, CSS, and images.
• Multiple Ports: The server should be able to listen on multiple ports simultaneously.
• CGI Support: The server should be able to execute CGI scripts (e.g., PHP, Python).
• File Uploads: Clients should be able to upload files via the server.
• Configuration File: The server should accept a configuration file that defines the ports, server names, routes, error pages, etc.
• Resilience: The server should handle high traffic loads and remain stable under stress.

Configuration File

The server's configuration file should allow the following settings:

• Port and host configurations.
• Server names.
• Error pages.
• Client body size limits.
• Route definitions, including accepted methods, redirections, directory listing, and CGI execution.
• File upload paths.

Bonus Features

If all mandatory features are implemented perfectly, the following extras can be added:

• Multiple CGI Support: Handle different CGI scripts for various routes and file extensions.

Building and Running the Project

To build the project, run the following command:

make

To start the server:

./webserv [configuration file]

If no configuration file is provided, a default configuration will be used.

Testing

You should test the server using:

• Web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.
• Command-line tools like telnet and curl.
• NGINX for comparison with standard HTTP responses and behavior. Stress testing is recommended to ensure the server remains stable under heavy load.

Submission and Evaluation

Submit your project in a Git repository. Ensure that all required files are included:

• Source files (*.cpp, *.h, *.hpp)
• Configuration files
• Makefile

The evaluation will focus on:

• Compliance with the C++98 standard.
• Correct implementation of mandatory features.
• Stability and resilience under load.
• Correctness of HTTP responses and behavior.

Contributing

Contributions to this project are welcome! If you have suggestions or improvements, please open an issue or submit a pull request. When contributing, please ensure that your code follows the existing style and conventions.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. For more details, please refer to the LICENSE file.