To summarize, the project involves developing a chat server and chat client using BSD TCP sockets for communication. The chat server is responsible for maintaining user account information and facilitating chat functionality. On the other hand, the chat client allows users to perform four operations: exit the client program, log into the server, log out from the server, and send chat messages (either broadcast or targeted to a specific user).
The chat_client program accepts commands in a specific format, including the "exit" command to close the TCP connection and quit the program, "login" to log in with a unique username, "logout" to log out from the server, and "chat" to send chat messages either as a broadcast or targeted to a specific user. The chat_server program listens for connection and disconnection requests from clients and maintains user socket connection information.