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Dialova

IRC Documentation · Beginner

NICK command: choose or change nickname

NICK chooses a nickname during IRC registration or requests a change after connection. The nickname allows addressing a presence; it does not alone prove the identity of an authenticated account.

Dialova Team · Verified on

Syntax and Parameters #

Protocol syntax, without the client's '/'
NICK <nouveau-pseudo>
ParameterMeaning
new-nicknameDesired nickname, conforming to the server's length and character rules.

Commented Example #

IRC Exchange: C = client, S = server
C: NICK AliceDeux
S: :Alice!alice@cloak.example NICK :AliceDeux

Nicknames, hosts, and text in this exchange are fictional. The client may display responses in a more readable format than the presented frames.

Possible Responses and Errors #

ResponseUnderstanding
NICKChange confirmed; the prefix contains the old nickname.
ErrorTypical Cause
432Nickname non-conforming.
433Nickname already in use.
431Nickname missing.

Rights, Compatibility, and Precautions #

Length and available characters depend on the network. Case equivalence is not always ordinary alphabetical comparison: consult the CASEMAPPING and NICKLEN information when announced in 005 ISUPPORT.

A nickname registered with services and a session bearing that nickname are not the same thing. SASL and account-tag indicate the account identity. On Dialova, changing your nickname goes through Settings → Account; the general possibility of NICK does not bypass this product rule.

Frequently Asked Questions #

Does changing my nickname change my account? No. The authenticated account is a distinct identity from the displayed nickname.

Why is my client automatically changing my nickname? It may be trying an alternative nickname after a rejection. Consult its settings and the exact server message.

Sources & Verification

Examples use pseudonyms and fictional domains, except for explicitly documented connection points. Network-specific extensions and settings are noted in the text.