struct command_or_something {
  char	word[15];
  (int) (char **args, int argc);
};

struct command_or_something COMMANDS[] = {
 { "ping", \command_handler },
 { "quit", \command_handler },
 { "echo", \command_handler },
 {NULL, NULL}
};

int find_coomand (char word) {
    int i;
    while (COMMANDS[i]->word !- NULL) {
        if (strcmp(COMMANDS[i]->word, word) == 0) {
            /* Found the command */
        }
    }
    /* not a known command */
}

/* there will be some syntax errors but I'm sure you'll get the idea... */