Instant messaging applications

[JsteRmX]

I am wondering about how instant messaging programs work. Does anyone have any idea? Like what language would you need to program it in, what network protocol (if any) does it require. I am very curious about this. What does it take to build an application like AIM?

thanks for all the insight!

 

[Barrucadu]

Well, its pretty easy to do in VB6, dont know about any other language.

In VB6 the client can be made with: 1 Winsock Control, 2 Textbox Control, 1 Command Button
And the server: 1 Winsock Control

And the protocol I generally use is something like this:
*join "username"
*msg "username":"message"
*exit "username"

 

[Dan]

I think pretty much any language with sockets could do it..

 

[JsteRmX]

hmm ok thanks guys.

i dont really know anything about programming.

the most i have done is php and mysql, which is pretty simple.

any more insight would be great, too. do you know of a good place I should start if i am a total noob to VB and other languages?

 

[Dan]

http://www.gfx-depot.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=797&pid=7527#pid7527

That's how to do stuff in VB with MSN. I don't know if any of it actually works or does anything because I don't know VB at all, but I'm assuming it helps.

 

[stscac]

Take a gander at the source code of gaim. GTK-based (cross-platform support) and works for many clients.

-Steve

 

[JsteRmX]

thanks!