MessageU

Instant messaging software. (Maman 15, Defensive Systems Programming).

• Client code written with C++.
• Server code written with Python.

Project Configuration

Client

• Developed with Visual Studio 2019.
• Client code written with ISO C++14 Standard. (Default by Visual Studio 2019).
• Boost Library 1.77.0 is used. https://www.boost.org
• Crypto++ Library 8.5 is used. https://www.cryptopp.com
• These instructions apply for x86 configuration. Upon loading .sln, use x86 build!

Client project configuration:

Both libraries Boost & Crypto++ are statically built in this guide.

1. Boost 1.77.0 Installation & Configuration

Boost 1.77.0 Installation Instructions are based on Pattarapol Koosalapeerom's Boost Installation Instructions.

1.1. Get Boost

• Download the copy of Boost for Windows platform via http://www.boost.org/users/history/version_1_77_0.html. Either .7z or .zip is fine.
• Extract the archive file to your directory of choice. Example path: "D:\boost_1_77_0"

1.2. Complie Boost library

• Run CMD as administrator inside boost folder.
• The following commands will take a while to build:
• Run bootstrap.bat
• Run b2 link=static runtime-link=static

1.3. Include Boost library in Visual Studio's C++ Project

• Open Client's Project Properties.
• Add "D:\boost_1_77_0" under Project > Properties > C/C++ > General > Additional Include Directories
• Add "D:\boost_1_77_0\stage\lib" under Project > Properties > Linker > General > Additional Library Directories
• Define _WIN32_WINNT=0x0A00 under Project > Properties > C/C++ > Preprocessor > Preprocessor Definitions (Windows 10. For other OS see this link).

2. Crypto++ 8.5 Installation & Configuration

2.1. Get Crypto++

• Download the copy of Crypto++ for Windows platform via https://www.cryptopp.com/#download. (ZIP).
• Extract the archive file to your directory of choice. Example path: "D:\cryptopp850"

2.2. Complie Crypto++ library

• Open "D:\cryptopp850\cryptest.sln" with Visual Studio.
• Build the solution. Make sure build configuration matches. (For example, Debug, Win32).
• Close the solution.
• We will use the static library cryptlib.lib. (If Win32, Debug was built, the library will be located within Win32\Output\Debug).

2.3. Include Crypto++ library in Visual Studio's C++ Project

• Open Client's Project Properties.
• Add "D:\cryptopp850" under Project > Properties > C/C++ > General > Additional Include Directories
• Add "D:\cryptopp850\Win32\Output\Debug\cryptlib.lib" under Project > Properties > Linker > Input > Additional Dependencies
• Make sure the project's Runtime Library is Project > Properties > C/C++ > Code Generation > Runtime Library > Multi-threaded Debug (/MTd)

3. Additional configurations

The following configurations already set within the sln. Unlike above libraries, it doesn't need external references hence probably shouldn't be modifed.

• Not using precompiled headers.

Server

• Developed with PyCharm 2021.1.2.
• Server code written with Python 3.9.6.

Server project onfiguration:

No special packages were required. Only the language's standard.