LAKLAK: Multi$-$threaded and Multi$-$user Chat Application

In this project, you are expected to develop a messaging server and client using socket programming. In this system, there will be many clients and a single server. Clients will communicate with the server using the LIST, LOGIN, LOGOUT, MSG$,$ INFO, and REGISTER commands.

Requirements

The messaging server and client you develop must support at least the following commands:

LIST

Used to list users on the server and their online$/$offline status.

Usage: LIST $[$mask$]$

The mask shows the listing mask created with $*$ or $?.$

LOGIN

Allows a user to log into the system.

Usage: LOGIN $[$mood$]$

username: The name of the user.

password: The password of the user.

mood $($optional$)$: The current mood of the user.

LOGOUT

Allows the active user to log out of the system.

Updates the user's status on the server and terminates the thread associated with this user.

MSG

Sends a message to a specific user or all online users.

Usage: MSG

username: The name of the user to whom the message will be sent. If $*$ is used, the message is sent to all online users.

message: The text of the message to be sent.

INFO

Shows the name, surname, and mood of the specified user.

Usage: INFO

username: The name of the user whose information is requested.

REGISTER

Allows a new user to register to the system.

Usage: REGISTER

username: The name of the new user.

name: The first name of the new user.

surname: The last name of the new user.

password: The password of the new user.

Persistence

The developed messaging server and client application should be designed to be continuously operational and reusable. Users should be able to continue messaging and communicating as long as the system is not shut down.

Client Application

The client application will show who the message is from when a message is received.

Commands can take parameters one by one or all at once; you are free in this regard.

Multithreading

A separate thread will be created for each user logged into the system, and the application will work in a multi$-$threaded manner.

Storing User Information

User information will be stored in a text file. This file will contain usernames, first names, last names, passwords, and mood information.

We will implement this project between two computers on Debian Linux. One computer will be the client, and the other will be the server. Can you provide the necessary code in C and explain what we need to do$?$