libpurple is a development library that is used as the core of an
IM program. When using libpurple, developers basically
write a
user interface (UI) for this core
code. Developers can write a program in C or C++ that provides all the windows
and dialogs and any thing that the user will interact with. The program would
use the libpurple library to connect to the IM networks and manage accounts and
preferences. Several IM clients use libpurple including Adium, Apollo IM, Finch,
Instantbird, Meebo, and
Pidgin. May also be referred
to as Pidgin libpurple.
See "A
Quick Reference to Consumer Instant Messaging" in the
Quick Reference section of
Webopedia.
See also "Internet-based
Communications" in the
Did You Know... section
of Webopedia.