IRC is comprised of several servers which people around the world can log into. After logging in, users can join an already-existing conversation channel or create their own. Then they just start chatting away!
To do this, all you need is an IRC program and a server to log into.
Various IRC programs (or IRC clients, as they're called on the Net) are in use today. Basically, they all let you do the same thing, although some are easier to use than others.
The IRC program you choose must be adapted to the platform you're working on.
