RFC 1459 (rfc1459) - Page 1 of 65
Internet Relay Chat Protocol
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Network Working Group J. Oikarinen
Request for Comments: 1459 D. Reed
May 1993
Internet Relay Chat Protocol
Status of This Memo
This memo defines an Experimental Protocol for the Internet
community. Discussion and suggestions for improvement are requested.
Please refer to the current edition of the "IAB Official Protocol
Standards" for the standardization state and status of this protocol.
Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
Abstract
The IRC protocol was developed over the last 4 years since it was
first implemented as a means for users on a BBS to chat amongst
themselves. Now it supports a world-wide network of servers and
clients, and is stringing to cope with growth. Over the past 2 years,
the average number of users connected to the main IRC network has
grown by a factor of 10.
The IRC protocol is a text-based protocol, with the simplest client
being any socket program capable of connecting to the server.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION ............................................... 4
1.1 Servers ................................................ 4
1.2 Clients ................................................ 5
1.2.1 Operators .......................................... 5
1.3 Channels ................................................ 5
1.3.1 Channel Operators .................................... 6
2. THE IRC SPECIFICATION ....................................... 7
2.1 Overview ................................................ 7
2.2 Character codes ......................................... 7
2.3 Messages ................................................ 7
2.3.1 Message format in 'pseudo' BNF .................... 8
2.4 Numeric replies ......................................... 10
3. IRC Concepts ................................................ 10
3.1 One-to-one communication ................................ 10
3.2 One-to-many ............................................. 11
3.2.1 To a list .......................................... 11
3.2.2 To a group (channel) ............................... 11
3.2.3 To a host/server mask .............................. 12
3.3 One to all .............................................. 12
Oikarinen & Reed
