The purpose is to develop a chat client and server using a sockets library. The client application should connect to a server that will maintain a list of all online users, and will provide this list to all connected clients. When a new user connects, the presence of the new user should be communicated to all other users currently logged on.
I have attached a zip file which details what is required.
It also contains code, in no particular order, that should generally be used as the basis in implementing the application.
## Deliverables
1) Complete and fully-functional working program(s) in executable form as well as complete source code of all work done.
2) Deliverables must be in ready-to-run condition, as follows (depending on the nature of the deliverables):
a) For web sites or other server-side deliverables intended to only ever exist in one place in the Buyer's environment--Deliverables must be installed by the Seller in ready-to-run condition in the Buyer's environment.
b) For all others including desktop software or software the buyer intends to distribute: A software installation package that will install the software in ready-to-run condition on the platform(s) specified in this bid request.
3) All deliverables will be considered "work made for hire" under U.S. Copyright law. Buyer will receive exclusive and complete copyrights to all work purchased. (No GPL, GNU, 3rd party components, etc. unless all copyright ramifications are explained AND AGREED TO by the buyer on the site per the coder's Seller Legal Agreement).
4) A short report should accompany the code which should consist of:
a)A brief set of instructions explaining how to use the software, including any command-line options for starting the client and server applications, and any other user commands.
b)An explanation of how the application is designed. If you have used a stateful server, you should explain how the state is distributed between client and server, and the effects that this has on system resources.
c)A list of all the service functions used, and a description of how they work.
## Platform
It should run on windows xp, using a unix platform such as Cygwin.