php chat client

Question

i need to create a chat application in php+js+ajax which need to be integrated to a site, where am stuck is to create a chat window , that need to be constant while going through different pages in the site . if any one can suggest a better way i will be grateful, thanks in advance

Answer 1

There are plenty of tutorials available, try one of these three that came up first from a Google search for "php chat tutorial":

• http://www.tutorialized.com/tutorials/PHP/Chat-Systems/1
• http://code.jenseng.com/jenChat/
• http://www.ajaxprojects.com/ajax/tutorialdetails.php?itemid=9

Answer 2

As far as the chat window staying when you change pages, I can think of three options:

1. Put the chat in a separate frame and only change the main frame when going to a new page.
2. Change the page content with AJAX instead of making a full page reload.
3. Assuming the chat messages are being stored on the server, simply repopulate the chat with the most recent messages after the new page loads.

Answer 3

As for the actual chat application...

Using some kind of technology to push data from the server -> your users is the best way to achieve a real-time chat application.

I would highly recommend checking out APE (Ajax Push Engine).

It takes care of the server-side stuff and allows you to seamlessly transfer data from the server -> client.