IRC scripts are a way of shortening commands and responding automatically to certain events while connected to an

IRC network Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is a text-based chat system for instant messaging. IRC is designed for group communication in discussion forums, called ''channels'', but also allows one-on-one communication via private messages as well as chat and ...

. There are many different

scripting language A scripting language or script language is a programming language that is used to manipulate, customize, and automate the facilities of an existing system. Scripting languages are usually interpreted at runtime rather than compiled. A scripting ...

s for different types of

IRC client Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is a text-based chat system for instant messaging. IRC is designed for group communication in discussion forums, called ''channels'', but also allows one-on-one communication via private messages as well as chat and ...

ircII ircII (pronounced ''i-r-c-two'' or ''irk-two'', and sometimes referred to as ''IRC client, second edition'') is a free, open-source Unix IRC and ICB client written in C. Initially released in the late 1980s, it is the oldest IRC client still m ...

BitchX BitchX is a free IRC client ("If you're already using Linux, then you have your choice of several (IRC) clients. BitchX is a popular one.") and has been considered to be the most popular ircII-based IRC client. The initial implementation, writte ...

, HexChat,

mIRC mIRC is an Internet Relay Chat (IRC) client for Windows, created in 1995. It is a fully functional chat utility and its integrated scripting language makes it extensible and versatile. mIRC has been described as "one of the most popular IRC cl ...

, Visual IRC, Bersirc, and others have their own scripting languages, many of which share common features and syntax and therefore are easily portable from one

to another.

Basis

Aliases

Most IRC scripts contain one or more aliases. Aliases are used to bind some command to a set of commands, or give it parameters, to save time when typing such commands over and over. For example, a simple alias might allow the user to type "''/j channel''" instead of "''/join #channel''", saving exactly 5 keystrokes (counting Shift). Aliases can add new commands, replace commands built into the IRC client, or provide abbreviations for long commands or sequences of commands. Aliases can usually be used as functions to produce a value that is used elsewhere in the script. In some cases, an alias hypo can be associated with a

keyboard shortcut computing, a keyboard shortcut also known as hotkey is a series of one or several keys to quickly invoke a software program or perform a preprogrammed action. This action may be part of the standard functionality of the operating system or ...

Event-based Scripting

Events, also known as remotes, allow a script to respond automatically when a particular type of message is received from the IRC

server Server may refer to: Computing *Server (computing), a computer program or a device that provides functionality for other programs or devices, called clients Role * Waiting staff, those who work at a restaurant or a bar attending customers and su ...

, or when a certain action is performed by the user, such as pressing a key or closing a window. Advanced event scripting usually requires knowledge of the IRC protocol, though basic events can usually be written without it.

Popups in Scripts

Scripts for

graphical Graphics () are visual images or designs on some surface, such as a wall, canvas, screen, paper, or stone, to inform, illustrate, or entertain. In contemporary usage, it includes a pictorial representation of data, as in design and manufacture, ...

IRC clients may contain pop-ups, which extend or replace the menus built into the client. Many scripts contain nothing but long lists of pop-ups that send humorous or cute canned messages to the channel; many of those messages take the form of a "slap", ridiculing a victim chosen by the user.

Security concerns

Since IRC scripts are used to interface with a public network, they are a favourable target for attack. Event handling code must be careful when dealing with input received from other IRC users; a poorly written IRC script may leave the user vulnerable, allowing attackers to possibly read the user's passwords or private conversations, execute arbitrary commands in the user's IRC client, or access files on the user's hard disk. IRC Scripts downloaded from public web sites or received from other IRC users may contain backdoors or similar malicious commands. Some users prefer to write their own IRC scripts to avoid the potential problems caused by a malicious or buggy script.

Similarities to Other Programming/Scripting Languages

IRC Scripts have many of the same concepts of other scripting or programming languages, such as variables, event-based execution, modification of core components and functions. IRC Scripts look similar to modular software configuration files, such as those used for some

IRC daemon An IRCd, short for Internet Relay Chat daemon, is server software that implements the IRC protocol, enabling people to talk to each other via the Internet (exchanging textual messages in real time). It is distinct from an IRC bot that connects ou ...

s such as

UnrealIRCd UnrealIRCd is an open-source IRC daemon, originally based on DreamForge, and is available for Unix-like operating systems and Windows. Since the beginning of development on UnrealIRCd c. May 1999, many new features have been added and modified, i ...

External links

mircscripts.org
ite for mIRC scripts, addons, themes and snippets
mircscripts.com
ne of the oldest sources of mIRC scripts & addons on the internet (currently unavailable due to domain expiration) mircscripts.us
ite which offers various mIRC resources such as Scripts, Addons, TCLs, DLLs and Snippets. Also has a tutorial download archive (This site is currently "parked".) -->
VisualScripts.com
ollection of scripts for Visual IRC