README.md

Chatz-UI

A simple, python, PyQt4 chat user interface with emoji support

Dependencies

1. Python 2.7
2. emoji
3. PyQt4

Running

It's as simple as running main.py with the dependencies installed.

Development

When connecting back-end code, make use of the methods (in main.py - UIHandler class):

1. refresh_users(users) - to refresh the list of participants shown. It takes a dict argument with the following structure:

   users = {username: [user_id, access_level, last-seen_time], ...}

   access_level: 1 = admin, 2 = moderator, 3 = regular user

2. display_error(text) - to display errors. It takes a str argument with the error text

3. sendslot() - to send a typed in message in the text_input widget when the send button has been clicked

4. recvslot(type_, mesg) - to display received messages. It takes an int argument(type_) to determine what kind of message has been received so as to render it correctly, as well as a tuple argument(mesg) containing the message and details:

   mesg = (sender, message, time_sent)

   type_: 1 = message from server, 2 = message from group, 3 = direct message

Tips

This is front-end code meant to be connected to the chat back-end. When doing this, make use of PyQt slots and signals to prevent freezing of the UI.