ThreadLine – Multithreaded Group Chat Application (JavaFX + Sockets)

A real-time JavaFX chat application with a multithreaded server built using Java sockets and Maven.

ThreadLine is a fully functional group chat application built using JavaFX and Java sockets. It consists of a multithreaded server and a JavaFX-based client GUI that allows multiple users to communicate with each other in real time. This project demonstrates key concepts of network programming, multithreading, GUI development, and Maven-based project management.

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Project Goals

• Build a simple, real-time group chat system using core Java.
• Learn socket programming and multithreading to handle multiple clients.
• Design an interactive UI using JavaFX.
• Structure and manage the project using Maven.

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Features

• Real-time messaging across multiple client windows
• Multithreaded server using Thread to handle concurrent clients
• JavaFX GUI for message input/output
• Uses Maven for dependency and build management
• Modular, readable Java code for learning or extension

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Tech Stack

Technology	Role
Java 17+	Core language
JavaFX	Graphical user interface
Sockets (TCP)	Client-server communication
Threads	Concurrent client handling
Maven	Project structure & build

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Folder Structure

group-chat/
├── pom.xml                           
└── src/
  └── main/
    └── java/
      └── com/chatapp/
        ├── Main.java         # Launches JavaFX client
        ├── Client.java       # Client socket + GUI logic
        ├── Server.java       # Starts server socket
        └── ClientThread.java # Manages each connected client

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🚀 Getting Started

1. Clone the Repository

git clone https://github.com/taufiqnoorani/group-chat.git
cd group-chat

2. Start the server

mvn compile exec:java -Dexec.mainClass="com.chatapp.Server"

This starts the chat server on port 1234.

3. Start a Client (In Another Terminal)

mvn javafx:run -DmainArgs="localhost 1234"

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How It Works

Server

• Listens on a fixed port.
• For every new client, spawns a new ClientThread.
• Broadcasts each message to all connected clients.

Client

• Connects to the server using a Socket.
• Listens for messages on a background thread.
• Sends messages from the UI input to the server.

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Future Enhancements

• Address real-world platform issues like JavaFX GUI behaviour on macOS.
• Add support for usernames and display them in messages.
• Timestamps for chat history.
• Persistent storage using file or database.
• Scroll-to-bottom auto feature on new message.

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License

This project is open-source and available under the MIT License.