WebSocket

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A persistent, two-way communication protocol that allows a web browser and a server to send messages back and forth instantly in real-time.

What it is

Standard HTTP requires the client to initiate every request (polling). WebSockets establish a single, continuous connection. Once open, the server can instantly push new data to the client without waiting to be asked. This is the underlying technology that powers real-time interactivity on the web.

When you would use it

You implement WebSockets when your application requires instant, continuous, two-way data syncing where traditional HTTP polling would be too slow or resource-heavy.

Common operations

• Powering live chat applications where messages appear instantly.
• Streaming real-time financial stock ticker updates to a dashboard.

Related terms

• SSE (Server-Sent Events)
• HTTP/HTTPS

Where this is taught

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