What is IRC?
Internet Relay Chat
An old and simple messaging system that allows real-time correspondence over the Internet.
Overview
IRC is a server-based text chat protocol that has been used since the early days of the Internet. Unlike modern applications, it is very lightweight and only text-oriented. It still remains popular among technical communities.
How it works
You connect to an IRC server, enter a channel, and start typing. All messages are delivered instantly and no logs are kept.
Where it is used
It is used in open source software projects, technical support groups, and nostalgic communities.
Commonly confused with
The difference from modern tools like Discord or Slack is that it doesn't have visual or file sharing features.
Frequently asked questions
Is IRC safe?
In its basic form it is passwordless, but nowadays it can be secured with SSL/TLS.
Why is it still used?
It is preferred because it is fast, light and very easy to install.
Related terms
Related tools
This explanation was written in plain language for TreScout and machine-translated from the Turkish original · the Turkish version prevails. If something looks wrong or missing, write to hello@trescout.com. Read in Turkish →