Info

iTalk Messenger iTalk Messenger

iTalk Messenger

8/25/2017

iTalk is a real-time messaging application that enables instant communication between users through a web interface. Built with PHP and AJAX for seamless, real-time chat experiences.

Key Features

  • Real-time Messaging: Instant message delivery using AJAX polling
  • User Authentication: Secure login and signup system
  • Chat History: Persistent message storage in MySQL
  • Multiple Conversations: Chat with different users simultaneously
  • Live Status: See message delivery and read status
  • Clean Interface: Minimal, user-friendly design focused on communication

How It Works

Real-time Updates

The application uses AJAX to continuously check for new messages without refreshing the page, creating a smooth chat experience similar to modern messaging apps.

Message Flow

  1. User sends a message via the interface
  2. AJAX POST request sends message to server
  3. PHP stores message in MySQL database
  4. AJAX polling retrieves new messages every few seconds
  5. Messages appear instantly in the chat interface

User Management

  • Sign Up: Create account with username and password
  • Login: Secure authentication with session management
  • Chat Selection: Choose from list of available users
  • Logout: Clean session termination

Tech Stack

  • Frontend: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, AJAX
  • Backend: PHP
  • Database: MySQL
  • Server: XAMPP (Apache + MySQL)

Architecture

Frontend (Client-side)

  • index.php: Login/Signup interface
  • message.php: Main chat interface with message display
  • styling.css & styling-msg.css: UI styling

Backend (Server-side)

  • sign_login_add.php: User registration and authentication
  • send.php: Handle outgoing messages
  • fetch.php: Retrieve new messages
  • validate.php: Session management
  • connection.php: Database configuration

Database Schema

  • users: User credentials and profiles
  • messages: Message content, sender, receiver, timestamps

Features in Detail

AJAX Polling

Implements efficient polling mechanism to fetch new messages at regular intervals without overwhelming the server.

Session Management

Maintains user sessions securely, preventing unauthorized access and ensuring conversation privacy.

Message Persistence

All conversations are stored in the database, allowing users to view message history across sessions.

This project demonstrates full-stack web development with emphasis on real-time communication, AJAX implementation, and database-driven applications.

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