DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION

OF

REAL TIME CHAT APPLICATION

 ABSTRACT
This project outlines the design and development of “LetsChat”, a real – time chat application tailored for the
Computer Science department. One of the aim of the application is to bridge communication gaps between
students of different levels, as well as between students and lecturers. With features that facilitate group
discussions, announcements, and interactive sessions, LetsChat will serve as a central platform for academic
and social interaction. Built using Nodel.js for backend functionality, React.js for a responsive interface and
WebSocket for real – time messaging, Buzz aims to provide a user – friendly experience that fosters
communication within the department. The application will particularly support new students in accessing
information, easing their transition, and fostering a closer connection with peers and lecturers.
 CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background Study
Effective communication within a university department, especially in a large and diverse department like
Computer Science, is essential. With the constant flow of information about lectures, assignments, practicals,
and other activities, students often face challenges staying informed and connected with peers and lecturers.

For example, first – year (100 – level ) students often struggle to adapt to the academic environment and may
find it difficult to access timely information. Similarly, senior students may have limited opportunities to
interact with junior students or lecturers outside the classroom setting. The lack of a unified communication
platform means that important information can get lost or not reach the intended audience, leading to missed
opportunities and unnecessary confusion.

To address this issue, a real – time chat application dedicated to our Computer Science department can improve
the way students and lecturers communicate. This application will serve as a digital hub, allowing students
from all levels and lecturers to engage in meaningful conversations, share important announcements, and assist
each other. It will also help new students quickly integrate into the department by connecting them with their
peers and mentors. Each student will use their matriculation number as a unique identifier, and their
information will already be stored in the database, eliminating the need for a manual sign – up process.
Lecturers will also have predefined accounts, making it easy for them to connect with students. Access to the
platform will be secured using a department – specific password or an easily distributed login credential,
ensuring that only Computer Science department members can participate.

The setup will help:

 New students quickly acclimate to the department by gaining immediate access to information and
communication channels.
 Encourage interaction and academic support across different student levels.
 Simplify the process for lecturers to share announcements and engage with students.

However, the concept of a real – time chat platform is not new, but its specific implementation to address the
needs of a university department, focusing on fostering academic interactions and community building, makes
it an invaluable addition.

1.2 Motivation
The motivation for developing LetsChat stems from the need for a communication platform specifically
tailored to the Computer Science department. As incoming students often struggle with accessing critical
information, LetsChat aims to simplify this process where they can interact with senior students. This
application is envisioned not only as a tool for social engagement but also as a means of academic support,
enabling students to seek guidance, stay updated on departmental activities, and foster closer relationships
with lecturers. In addition, it provides an opportunity to learn hands – on about real – time systems by
developing a platform that encourages collaborative learning and academic discourse.

1.3 Problem Definition

Communication gaps and inefficiencies are prevalent within university departments, particularly in the
Computer Science department. Students across various levels, from 100 to 400, often find it difficult to
receive timely information about lectures, assignments, and departmental events. New students face
challenges integrating into the academic community and accessing resources that could use their transition.

Moreover, lecturers lack a streamlined method to communicate important updates, resulting in missed
opportunities for students to engage or stay informed. The absence of a unified platform for academic and
community interactions leads to a fragmented and ineffective communication environment.

The current reliance on email lists, bulletin boards, and scattered group chats fails to address the needs of a
department that requires real – time, efficient, and inclusive communication channels. There is a pressing
need for a dedicated platform that integrates all Computer Science students and their lecturers, allowing
seamless information exchange and collaboration.

1.4 Goal and Objectives

Goal: To develop a real – time chat application tailored specifically for the Computer Science department,
fostering better communication and collaboration among students and lecturers, and ensuring that new
students can easily access essential information.

Objectives:

1. Automate User Integration

 Implement a system where all students and lecturers are pre – registered using their
matriculation numbers or staff IDs as unique identifiers.
 Eliminate the need for a manual sign – up process, simplifying the access to the platform.
2. Facilitate Real – Time Communication:
 Provide instant messaging capabilities to allow seamless communication among students and
lecturers.
 Create group chats for different student levels, encouraging discussions about coursework,
assignments, and departmental events.
3. Enhance Lecturer – Student Interaction:
 Enable lecturers to easily share announcements, assignment details, and event information.
 Develop features for lecturers to communicate with students either individually or through
group messages.
4. Support New Student Onboarding:
  Design a feature that helps new students (e.g., 100 – level) quickly integrate into the
department and get acquainted with academic resources and peers.
 Provide channels where senior students and lecturers can offer guidance and support.
5. Create Specialized Communication Channels:
 Offer topic – specific channels for research groups, programming competitions, or other
special interests within the department.
 Ensure that students can join and contribute to these channels based on their interests and
academic needs.
6. Ensure Security and Privacy:
 Implement security measures to protect user data and restrict access to only members of the
Computer Science department.
 Use a common or auto – generated password system to ensure secure but easy login.
7. Prove a User – Friendly Experience:
 Develop an intuitive and easy – to – navigate interface, especially designed for users who
may be unfamiliar with similar platforms.
 Ensure the application works seamlessly on both mobile and desktop devices

1.5 Scope of Research

Target Audience: The research and development of the chat application will focus on the Computer Science
department, including all student levels (100 to 400 level), and lecturers which could also be integrated.

Pre-Registered User Accounts:

 Students will not need to sign up. Their matriculation numbers will serve as a unique identifier, and
their details will already be integrated into the database. This is to avoid a non – Computer Science
student from impersonating as one.
 Lecturers will also have accounts automatically created and integrated into the system.

Login System:

 Students will log in using their matriculation number and a common password shared within the
department or an auto – generated password for added security.
 Lecturers will have a similar login process, using a unique staff ID.

Core Features:

 Real – time messaging between students and lecturers.

 The application also supports the sharing of files in various formats.
 Groups Chats functionality, providing a space for discussions related to classes, assignments, and
announcements.
  A section which contains contact to all the students of the department, and the lecturers as well (Student
Mat – No could be a source of contact), so students can easily find and interact with each other, and
also with their lecturers.
 The application will be designed for mobile and desktop use, ensuring easy and seamless access for
all members of the department.
 The interface will be user – friendly, aiming to minimize complexity and maximize engagement,
especially for new students.
 Protecting user information and maintaining privacy will be a top priority, following the latest security
protocols.

Limitations:

 This application will be specifically tailored to the Computer Science department and may not be
immediately adaptable to other departments without customization.
 The focus will be on text – based messaging; advanced features like video calls and voice calls will
not be included in this initial implementation.

1.6 Research Methodology

The project will follow a systematic research and development approach:

 Technology Selection: A review of existing chat application frameworks will be conducted to

determine the best technologies for real – time communication, such as Websocket for messaging,
Node.js for backend, and React for the frontend.
 System Design and Prototyping: Design a prototype that aligns with the objectives, focusing on
UI/UX for easy navigation and accessibility.
 Agile Development: Utilize an Agile development approach to iteratively build and improve the
application, incorporating feedback from student and faculty testers.
 Testing and Evaluation: Conduct usability testing with representatives from each level to ensure the
application meets the needs of new students, senior students, and faculty. Load testing will also be
conducted to evaluate the system’s performance under multiple active users.
 Documentation: Maintain detailed documentation for system setup, functionality, and user
instructions to facilitate future scalability.

1.7 Research Significance

This research is significant because it addresses a specific gap in communication within the Computer Science
department. By creating a tool that fosters cross – level student interaction and brings students closer to
lecturers, LetsChat offers an innovative solution to the limitations of current communication channels. This
project could serve as a model for other departments seeking a tailored communication platform, promoting
community – building, mentorship, and academic support. It also contributes technical insights into designing
real – time systems that balance usability and performance within an academic setting.