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IRC Documentation · Beginner

IRC Glossary: Understanding Chat Terms

This glossary explains the vocabulary encountered in a client, server response, or IRC documentation. Definitions distinguish the protocol from functions specific to a software package or network.

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IRC #

Internet Relay Chat: a real-time discussion protocol between clients and servers.

IRCd #

Software that runs an IRC server and enforces its connection and discussion rules.

Network #

An administered set of servers sharing an IRC space; a network can also consist of only one server.

Server #

IRC connection point. Its hostname and port are provided by the network.

Channel or Chat Room #

A collective conversation space, often named with a # prefix.

Nickname #

The visible name of a user in the IRC session. It is not automatically their account name.

Account #

An identity authenticated by the network, distinct from the visible nickname and an email address.

Channel Operator (op) #

A user with management rights in a channel. The exact rights depend on the server's modes.

IRCop #

Server or network operator. Their privileges are distinct from those of a channel op.

Halfop #

Intermediate channel rank offered by some servers; its permissions are not universal.

Voice #

Status commonly associated with +v and the + prefix; allows speaking in moderated channels according to their rules.

Ban #

Exclusion or restriction rule, often represented by a mask. Its scope depends on the server and channel.

Mask or Masquerading #

Pattern used to target an identity or set of identities. The accepted syntax depends on the mechanism involved.

Hostmask #

Representation of a user source as nick!user@host; the visible host may be masked by the network.

Cloak #

Host name masking by the server. It does not promise anonymity against the network operator.

Vhost #

Virtual host name displayed according to network rules, sometimes assigned by its services.

Services #

Privileged clients or components that can manage accounts, nicknames, or channels. Their availability depends on the network.

NickServ #

Common name for an account or nickname management service; its commands vary by network.

ChanServ #

Common name for a registered channel management service. Its presence and permissions are network-specific.

SASL #

Authentication framework used by IRC to identify an account through a negotiated mechanism.

TLS #

Encrypted transport between the client and its server, with certificate verification; this is not end-to-end encryption of conversations.

CTCP #

Convention carried in IRC messages, notably used for /me actions or certain client requests.

DCC #

Family of direct client-to-client connection conventions, notably for files; it carries distinct risks from server chat.

MOTD #

Message of the Day: server welcome information, typically transmitted as numeric replies.

Numeric #

Three-digit response code whose meaning is defined by the protocol or an extension.

Capability #

Capability announced and negotiated with CAP. Presence in CAP LS does not mean it is already active.

Message tag #

Metadata placed before the source and command of an IRC message, in a prefix starting with @.

Netsplit #

Break between servers on a network that temporarily separates groups of users.

Bouncer #

Intermediate keeping an IRC connection and, depending on its configuration, offering reconnection and history to clients.

ZNC #

IRC bouncer project; an example of software, not the generic name for all bouncers.

Prefix #

Depending on the context, the source of a message or a symbol indicating a channel rank. Do not confuse these two uses.

ISUPPORT #

Information generally sent in the 005 response to describe server parameters, distinct from CAP.

Batch #

A group of messages delimited by BATCH commands and linked by grouping tags.

WebSocket #

A message transport usable by certain web architectures; it must be explicitly available on the server or its gateway.

Sources & Verification

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