Lightweight real-time messaging system for resource-constrained environments

Abstract The growing number of technologies and computer processing nowadays makes it increasingly difficult for those people who have access to only a basic mobile phone and limited Internet connectivity to get access to more complex messaging applications/ computers. This paper will talk about GupShupGo, a lightweight real-time messaging application aimed at usage in resource-constrained environments. The scope of the paper will be limited in terms of sending/receiving audio/ video calls. Nevertheless, sending/ receiving text messages, participation in the group chat, getting push notifications, and presence management during message exchange will be included. On the basis of the conducted performance testing of GupShupGo, we have defined the maximum number of simultaneous users equal to 1,000; the average response time to send messages to users was less than 100 ms. Under controlled testing conditions, the average amount of memory utilized by each device was between 85 MB and 100 MB; the average percentage of the CPU used by devices was between 8% and 18%. It is worth noting there were no direct comparison tests conducted with the commercial messaging services such as WhatsApp, Telegram, because of the different methods utilized and messaging services provided. Generally, findings show that GupShupGo is usable as a messaging service under resource-limited and low bandwidth environments. Furthermore, because of its energy efficiency and modularity, GupShupGo will offer reliable text messaging services in economically deprived regions/businesses.