irc.lua

irc.conn = function (irc_config)
    -- the config would need irc_config.authtype, for now I'll set it for testing
    -- this could be one of nicksserve, sasl or none
    local authtype = 'sasl'
    if authtype == 'sasl' then
        irc.connection:send(('CAP REQ :sasl\r\n'))
    end
    irc.connection:send(('NICK %s\r\n'):format(irc_config.handle))
    irc.connection:send(('USER %s * 8 :%s\r\n'):format(irc_config.ident, irc_config.gecos))
end

-- respond to server `ACK :sasl`
irc.sasl_ack = function()
    irc.connection:send(('AUTHENTICATE PLAIN\r\n'))
end

-- Respond to server `AUTHENTICATE +`
irc.authenticate = function(irc_config)
    -- config will need irc_config.saslpass, or alternatively nickpass
    -- setting now for testing
    saslpass = 'opensesame'
    local authString = ("%s\\0%s\\0%s"):format( irc_config.handle, irc_config.handle, saslpass)
    local encodedString = (mime.b64(authString))
    irc.connection:send(('AUTHENTICATE %s\r\n'):format(encodedString))
end

-- Respond to server `903 :SASL authentication successful`
irc.sasl_sucess = function()
    irc.connection:send('CAP END\r\n')
end

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++= Throw event stuff somewhere

          elseif data:find('CAP %* ACK :sasl') then
                irc.sasl_ack()
            elseif data:find('AUTHENTICATE %+') then
                irc.authenticate(ms.config.irc)
            elseif data:find(':SASL authentication successful') then
                irc.sasl_sucess()