Implementing an IRC Server; which rfc?
reddit / irc

----------------------------------------------------------------------
humbleharbinger · 2022-10-31 19:06

I'm planning to implement an IRC server in Python for a project. I see
a couple of rfcs for irc, does anyone know which one is actually used?
In general, I'd appreciate any tips or pitfalls to avoid when starting
this project.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
anths · 2022-10-31 19:18

Start here: https://ircv3.net/irc/

As noted, the actual RFCs are out of date, but the ones listed there
will get you started, and that has all the info on updates.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
humbleharbinger · 2022-10-31 20:52

Thanks, will check this out!

----------------------------------------------------------------------
I-am-fun-at-parties · 2022-10-31 21:16

Where 281\* and 1459 disagree, go with 281\*.  Servers being strict
about 1459 are rare these days (source: tested my pet IRC library on
hundreds of networks)

----------------------------------------------------------------------
ProgVal · 2022-10-31 21:46

https://modern.ircdocs.horse/ is based on both 1459 and 2812, and
describes the protocol shared by all current implementations. If you
see any inaccuracy, please open a ticket at
https://github.com/ircdocs/modern-irc/ so we can fix it.

Also, I am working on a test suite for servers here:
https://github.com/progval/irctest/ It is incomplete, but covers
typical mistakes.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
EnterprisePaulaBeans · 2022-10-31 22:31

Seconding the modern.ircdocs.horse docs; they're excellent. Thanks for
working on them!

----------------------------------------------------------------------
humbleharbinger · 2022-10-31 22:55

Thanks this will be very useful to use for testing!

----------------------------------------------------------------------
humbleharbinger · 2022-11-01 02:08

Hey I checked out your test suite, can you explain what the controller
is needed for when testing servers? If I want to test my own server,
will I need a controller?

----------------------------------------------------------------------
ferrybig · 2022-11-01 10:32

Looking though that test suit, some tests require logged in users.
Using a controller allows the test suit to talk to your server to mak
sure the required users are present with the correct passwords for the
test

The controller is also responsible for starting the IRC server
executable as part of the testing

You probably want to use th ExternalServerController controller if you
want to keep your servr external

----------------------------------------------------------------------
ProgVal · 2022-11-01 12:54

> The controller is also responsible for starting the IRC server
executable as part of the testing

That's correct; it does all the server-specific stuff, so tests are
independent of the server. The bare minimum is to write a config file
and start the process.

> You probably want to use th ExternalServerController controller if
you want to keep your servr external

That works, but writing your own controller is more convenient:
because irctest starts the server itself, the server is properly reset
between tests.