Something

int parseMessage(char *buffer){
  // read the first byte for type
  char *type[1];
    bcopy(buffer,type,1);
  // read the 5th-8th bytes of buffer to determine type
  int *size=malloc(sizeof(int));
    bcopy(buffer+4,size,4);
  // read the 9th-end bytes of buffer to get the message
  char *message=malloc(size);
    bcopy(buffer+8,message,size-8);
    
  switch(type){ // check the type
    case 0: // if it is a control message
      switch(message){
        case "QUIT":
        
          break;
        case "LIST":
        
          break;
        default:
          break;
      }
      break;
    default: 
      break;
  }
}