Students are tasked with developing a prototype for a chat application using socket programming, which must enable direct communication between users while supporting both client-server and peer-to-peer architectures. The application requires user authentication and the ability to send and receive text messages simultaneously, along with acknowledgment receipts for messages. The implementation can be done in any programming language, provided that sockets are utilized without network abstraction libraries.

1. CLO 4: Develop the network application using socket programming. To assess the student's
Learning Outcome 4, namely, the ability to develop network application using socket
programming detailed as: 1. A simple socket server and client 2. A server-client application that
functions like a full-fledged socket application, complete with its own custom header and
content. 3. Build-in Python or any other programming language is accepted. 4. Written report as
per the specification provided.
Introduction Generally, the Socket allows the exchange of information between processes on the
same machine or across a network, distributing work to the most efficient machine, and easily
allowing access to centralized data. Socket application program interfaces (APIs) are the network
standard for TCP/IP.
Task Description: You are required to create a prototype for a chat application that enables users
to communicate directly with one another in order to accomplish the above-mentioned goal. The
prototype must provide unrestricted access to the password-protected network for all users and
offer a direct channel of communication between any two online users. Any programming
language may be used to implement the prototype, but you must utilize sockets; any libraries
used to abstract away the networking portion of this network application prototype will not be
marked. The client-server and peer-to-peer network applications' fundamental functionalities
must be shown in the prototype. Elementary Prerequisites: 1. The prototype will be constructed
using a hybrid architecture that adapts to peer-topeer and client-server architectures. The
prototype, then, will exhibit off the fundamental components of client-server and peer-to-peer
network applications. 2. The prototype will use TCP socket connections; 3. It will include a
client and a server; 4. A client must authenticate before connecting to the server. - Users will be
able to send and receive text messages straight from any other users using the prototype at any
time, as well as check who else is online and available to chat to. Completeness Requirements: 1.
Users will be able to send and receive messages simultaneously and can disconnect from
conversations at any moment. 2. The receiving end will send an acknowledgement to the sending
end to confirm receipt of the message.