CLI Chat Application with WebSocket

Table of Contents

• Overview
• Features
• Technology Stack
• Why I Chose ws

Overview

Real-time communication is essential in the digital era. This CLI chat application utilizes WebSockets to enable seamless and interactive conversations among users in a command-line interface.

Features

• Real-time Messaging: Send and receive messages instantly with WebSocket technology.
• User Registration: Users can set their names and join the chat.
• Private Messaging: Messages can be sent to specific users, maintaining privacy.
• Error Handling: Comprehensive error handling for connection issues and invalid user actions.
• Timestamping: Messages include a timestamp for better context.
• User Notifications: Receive notifications for user join/leave actions.

Technology Stack

• Backend: Node.js with the ws library for WebSocket implementation.
• Frontend: Command Line Interface (CLI) using Node.js readline module.
• Architecture: MVC (Model-View-Controller) pattern for code organization.

Why I Chose ws

The ws library was selected for this chat application due to its numerous advantages:

• Performance: ws is known for its high performance and low latency, making it ideal for real-time applications where speed is crucial.
• Lightweight: With minimal overhead, ws allows for efficient handling of WebSocket connections, which is especially beneficial for applications with many concurrent users.
• Simplicity: This is simple and easy to use, enabling quick integration and reducing the complexity of setting up WebSocket communication.
• Active Community: As a widely used library, ws has a robust community and extensive documentation, providing ample support and resources for troubleshooting and development.
• Compatibility: It works seamlessly with Node.js, ensuring smooth integration into the application’s backend.

Choosing ws for this project ensures that users enjoy a fast and responsive chat experience while keeping the implementation simple and maintainable.