Contus

Feb01
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WhatsApp is the most sought after messaging application that has revolutionized the
messaging app market. Several attempts have been made in vain to clone WhatsApp as
a chat app, but none of them yielded the result. Despite introducing similar
functionalities, no chat app has ever been able to topple WhatsApp�s supremacy as a
chat app.

In order to build a WhatsApp like chat application, one should have a detailed
understanding of its functioning mechanism and technicalities.

How Whatsapp Messaging App is Working Technically?

create a clone app similar to whatsappWhatsApp uses Ejabberd (XMPP) server which
facilitates instant message transfer between two or many users on a real-time
basis. High reliability and sustainability even under peak traffic the reason why
WhatsApp developers chose Ejabberd above anything else.

ERLANG is the programming language used to code WhatsApp. Code restructuring and
some important changes were made to the Ejabberd server to achieve optimal server
performance.

Further, Erlang is agile to adapting to instant updates and hot fixes. This is what
helps WhatsApp to quickly push the changes to live implementation without requiring
restarts.

1. Insights on data transfer in WhatsApp

how whatsapp works technicallyWhatsApp manages over 50 billion messages a day. The
key to smooth data processing lies with the message queue length. The length of the
message queue of all the processes associated with a node is monitored.

In case of multimedia messages, contents (audio, video, or image) are uploaded into
a HTTP server and are linked with the content and then sent to the receiving node
(receiver) in the form of a thumbnail. Based on the user�s preference the content
can either be viewed or discarded.

2. Protocol used by WhatsApp

The primary protocol in use is XMPP (Extensible Messaging and Presence
Protocol).DSL ensures network security and also helps in preventing private data
transfer.

As and when message is sent, it is queued on the server. The message waits in the
queue until the recipient reconnects to receive the message. As and when a message
is delivered the sender gets notified by a double check mark near the message.
After the delivery the messages are instantly deleted from the server memory.

This instant deletion from server memory helps WhatsApp keep its resources to a
bare minimum.

Additionally, Whatsapp uses HTML5 WebSockets which communication technology which

facilitates two-way communication.

3. Registration process of WhatsApp

Whatsapp Registration ProcessUsers can register for WhatsApp by entering their
mobile number. On entering the number, the user will be sent a OTP which once
verified by the device will initiate the user to the chat screen.
4. Database management
Mnesia DB handles the heavy-duty task of database management. Mnesia is a multiuser
distributed DBMS which also happens to be the default DB of ERLANG. Mnesia helps
achieve quicker request responses, thereby improving the overall efficiency.

FreeBSD is the OS upon which WhatsApp is built. Improvising on the ERLANG based
applications and optimizing FreeBSD, WhatsApp is able to achieve better
performance. For storing multimedia files, the app uses an exclusive web server
YAWS.

5. End-to-end encryption
Whatsapp�s end-to-end encryption ensures rocks-solid for safety of text &
multimedia content. When you send messages, you phone does the encryption and send
it to Whatsapp server. The server gets the replies from the receiver�s end,
encrypts it and sends to your smartphone. Now, your phone decrypts the messages and
displays it.

6. Audio & Video Calls

Whatsapp video audio call
WhatsApp uses highly equipped headway technology rather than WebRTC. The Opus/SILK
audio codec 16khz with 20 kbps bitrate and NAT (Network Address Translation)
techniques are used to enable audio calling. The STUN server and Peer to Peer
connection are the key elements included to boost and maintain authentication to
the users.

7. Location Sharing
WhatsApp integrates Google Maps Android API and Google Places API. This API is used
for location sharing among the users. WhatsApp is enhanced according to their
multiple needs.

Build a Whatsapp like Messaging App with Contus Fly

Having discussed the technicalities of WhatsApp it is time to shift gears over
analyzing the possibilities of creating a whatsApp alternative. There are plenty of
messaging applications in the market that appear to be perfect WhatsApp clones. The
reality is many of the attempts of building WhatsApp like apps are failing because
they do not follow the technical aspects.

Well, if we take such apps as an example, it might be quite difficult to understand

as they are completely built products. Instead a ready made solution that can help
in creating a WhatsApp clone app would be a better learning material.

Contus Fly is a framework that catalyses the build of an instant messaging

application. Contus Fly can be used to develop WhatsApp clone app for Android, iOS
and Windows platforms as it has the SDK ready for these widely preferred mobile
operating systems. Since native coding has been used by Contus Fly to achieve
better speed, it can be handy in developing a WhatsApp like native app.

Framework & Architecture of Contus Fly

contus fly real time chat app work flow

Ejabberd
Ejabberd, the open source Jabber server has been customized by Contus Fly to
improve operational efficiency. The XMPP protocol has also been customized to
speedup signing in and re-signing in sessions. To protect the app from DDOS attacks
and to prevent account spoofing, this mobile chat application has been encrypted
with HMAC.
Mnesia and MySQL
For data storing, Contus Fly makes use of both Mnesia and MySQL. While Mnesia is
used to maintain user login sessions, MySQL contributes in maintaining the user
details, right from account credentials to other personal data.

Cassandra database
Chat logs are a key for instant messaging applications. In order to save chat
history between several nodes, Contus Fly has deployed . This database offers a
good read write speed thus helping users to retrieve chat logs as and when they
need.

Amazon S3 bucket
Multimedia messages including audio, image, video are saved in Amazon S3 bucket.
Registration for the app usage can be done in multiple ways including mobile
number, email, user name password and social login.

As and when a user triggers a message, the chat app SDK sends a request to the
Ejabbered server. In return the server checks for the availability of the recipient
and if available, the delivery request is sent to the recipients SDK and then
delivered. If the recipient is offline, the data is stored in the Ejabbered as
message will be queued in the server.