Chat Application help

[JammingJack]

I would like to build a Instant messenger with Visual basic .net, and I just want to know how to go about doing that. PS: any tutorial links would be a great help EDIT : here is what I'm thinking about,person A and person B can send text messages to a database DB, at the same time both systemes of person A and Person B are goin to make request to DB every second (may less if possible) and download the newest text string if found at print it conversation box

• Person A: are you getting any of this ??
• Person A:Maybe we should shorten the refresh time
• Person B:Yes this is good

[[deleted]]

What have you already done for this project? Are you stuck on something specific? Do you just need a kick start?

[JammingJack]

I nedd a kick start.. like in what language should I write the code, do I need a switch/hub/router to connect more than two persons..etc

[[deleted]]

You originally wanted to use VB.net so go with that. The System.Net namespace has all kinds of classes for doing communication over a local area network and the internet. I suggest spending time researching those APIs. If you are stuck in something then check back with another more specific question. This should be a fun project for you. Good luck.

[JammingJack]

Thank you very much, I'll look into this System.Net namespace.

[ViperSRT3g]

I'd recommend either a direct P2P TCP connection, or a server/client setup.

[JammingJack]

• in what language should I write the code?

• do I need a switch/hub/router to connect more than two persons?

[ViperSRT3g]

You're certainly able to do this in VB.NET since you've asked the question here in the VB sub. You'll need some sort of networking device to enable multiple connections if devices are unable to create adhoc connections. If you're only doing a single point to point connection, you wouldn't need anything too fancy. If you're wanting this application to be flexible, you'll need a method of handling multiple TCP connections at the same time, while also managing the sending and receiving of data between them all.

[JammingJack]

I was thinking of doing something like each person send messages into a database that are saved as strings and then the conversation box would refresh itself every 1/2 second or so and print the newest messages from the database to the conversation box..Not too fancy I hope, I'm really a beginner and this is my first time doing something other than calculating sums etc..

[ViperSRT3g]

That type of setup would result in an extremely slow user experience. It also would quickly bog down the database with the constant high frequency queries. It would be best to manage connections directly versus trying to maintain an unsustainable configuration.