The following information is derived from my own experience of ircII (available on the shell servers). Other clients may behave differently.
What is DCC ?
DCC stands for Direct Client to Client. Unlike normal IRC communication, DCC communication doesn't transit through the servers but are sent directly from a client to another one. Using DCC, you can usually establish faster communications, which are also more secure because of the absence of intermediary nodes other than those imposed by the Internet routing, and transfer files.
Using DCC for file transfers
To offer a file for transfer, you type "/dcc send nick file". If the file isn't in your current directory (shown by /cd), you can add a pathname in UNIX format.
The person who is offered a file sees "*** DCC SEND (file size) request received from nick". They can accept it by typing "/dcc get nick file" or ignore it with the "/dcc close get nick file" command.
The latter can also be used once the connection established to abort the transfer. Symetricaly, the sender can cancel or abort the transfer by issuing the "/dcc close send nick file" command.
Using DCC to converse
DCC allows you to establish direct communication with someone via DCC CHAT.
To start a DCC conversation, type "/dcc chat nick". The recipient's screen displays "*** DCC CHAT (chat) request received from nick" and they can accept it by typing "/dcc chat nick".
"/dcc close chat nick" cancels, rejects or terminates a DCC conversation. Note that if you cancel or reject a DCC CHAT, the other person isn't notified of it.
Once the communication established, you can send messages via DCC CHAT with the "/msg =nick text" command (nick must be the nick with which the communication was initially established : if the other person changes their nickname, DCC CHAT still uses the initial nick). You can also use "/query =nick" which lets you communicate without typing "/msg =nick" all the time : if you enter text that isn't a command, it is automatically sent to the other person. ("/query nick" would do the same for normal messages.)
People usually use DCC CHAT to avoid lag (provided the state of the Internet will allow a direct communication) because the messages aren't handled by servers that come in between, thus letting the messages propagate faster. In case the IRC network splits, the DCC CHAT survives (meaning you may not see the other person on IRC but you will still be able to chat). Finally it's somewhat more secure (as secure as the Internet allows) because servers can't intercept the messages.
Follow this link back to the Index Page or this one to the next page.