Proper Database Structure that may support IM

IR*7;m planning a web application, but later the scripting may change, but I donR*7;t want the database structure to change, so for the start I want to get it right.

The application will later have an IM (instant messenger) just like Yahoo/MSN, so what is the proper way to store the userR*7;s information now.
Then later I will find I way of connecting to it.

[B]Note:[/B] The registration form will contain: username,password,fullname,email&country

But if you have any knowledge of how is properly done, I will appreciate it.

I`m using MySql/PHP, But the IM will later be written in Python.
Please tell me what I need then I start making necessary arrangement towards it.

Thank you.
Abah

Welcome to the forum Abah.

Well for starters I would structure your main (SERVER SIDE) database as followed:

[b]TABLENAME:[/b] name_of_your_messenger
[b]FIELDS:[/b] username, password, email, name, age, country, last_login, status

Status will be one of your most important fields to prevent multiple users from loggin into the same account.

If you plan to keep a history of chat logs you will need a second table [b]Chat_Logs[/b] and will need to add a primary key for each user in your main [b]name_of_your_messenger[/b] database. In the [b]Chat_Logs[/b] database you would need the following fields: user_id, receiver_id, timestamp, message

For the client side registry keys I would use:
[b]REGKEY:[/b] hkey_localmachine/software/name_of_your_messenger
[b]REGKEY:[/b] hkey_localmachine/software/name_of_your_messenger/username

Under each username key I would have a password and port key.

I've never written an instant messenger system but if I were to try, this is the first structure that comes to mind.

xdddddd nice lol