PHP Messenger?

jstrybis

Hello,

Yes, I've searched the forum a bit and come up with some not-so-helpful threads, so I figured I'd start my own.

I was wondering if anyone has some suggestions on how to go about creating a PHP/MySQL-based instant messenger? I know that it's quite possible because Match.com has some sort of messenger and there's also things like http://www.phplivesupport.com.

I'm puzzled as to how these work... I would think that entering every line into a database would be wasteful - and even if you did do it that way... how would the other user's window refresh with the new information?

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Jay

AceE

I made one a long time ago that used frames...One for the typing, one for the reading...The reading one refreshed every X seconds...But, there's prob a better way out there...

FraXTC

I doubt (though I'm not sure) that they use php... Php cannot be triggered by a 3rd person (so when the 3d guy does something, your page will refresh too)... I suspect that they use a language like java or something... The only thing you could do is refreshing the page every x seconds or something... But I guess that the dataflow is too large when many users use the "messenger" , causing lagging...

Otherwise try Visual Basic.. It has a very easy language and though it is not ideally coded, it's good enough (VB even has a MSN plugin 🙂 )

crosbystillsnas

its some time ago that i read about 'shared memory', what is definately the better solution for a messenger than a mysql-database. unfortunately i never worked with it, but i am sure you'll find something about it...

furthermore i doubt that there is a page refresh when submitting a thread. try to work with an endless-loop and buffered output.

hope this helps...

jens

crosbystillsnas

...of course you might a database to save the threads afterwards.

jstrybis

Thanks for your replies.

A client of mine used to use PHPlive! so i'll download that source and take a look at it - after looking at it's database a bit i see that it does store all of the chat transcripts... not really sure of its interaction though.

I'll also check out the endless loop idea.. not sure if it's feasible though 😉

thanks again ---
jay

crosbystillsnas

maybe you will have to actualize when starting the script first, but it seems to work then. the script attached counts from 0 to 9 unless the user hits the cancel-button, using
while(1 != 0){} and output buffering output buffering in a for-loop.

bj_

I was thinking about doing an site chat program myself. I am pretty sure that you have to have an activex or aplet. You need a client side program that can comunicate with the server or you have to have the page reload every 'x' seconds, or reload when somone clicks something. I havnt done this yet myself but I am pretty sure that is how it is done.

crosbystillsnas

i tried a lot on using this endless-loop for a chat i posted above.
i am almost sure that it HAS TO work somehow, but also somehow, it doesnt... who can help with that?