What is websocket?

WebSocket is a communication protocol that provides full-duplex communication channels over a single, long-lived connection between a client and a server. It enables real-time, bidirectional communication between web browsers (clients) and web servers.

More about WebSocket:

1. Full-duplex Communication: Unlike traditional HTTP, where communication is initiated by the client and the server responds, WebSocket allows both the client and the server to send messages to each other independently in real-time. This enables true bidirectional communication.

2. Persistent Connection: Once established, a WebSocket connection remains open, allowing data to be transmitted efficiently and instantly between the client and the server without the overhead of establishing a new connection for each communication.

3. Low Latency and Overhead: WebSocket reduces the latency and overhead compared to techniques such as polling or long-polling, as it eliminates the need for constant requests from the client to the server to check for new data.

4. Wide Browser Support: Modern web browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, support the WebSocket protocol, making it widely accessible for web-based applications.

5. Standard Protocol: WebSocket is defined by the WebSocket protocol standard (RFC 6455), which specifies how the client and server establish and maintain the WebSocket connection, exchange messages, and handle errors.

Scenarios to use WebSocket protocol

WebSocket protocol is typically used in scenarios where real-time, bidirectional communication is required between a client and a server (ex. real-time gaming, stock market updates). Here are some situations where using WebSocket protocol is beneficial:

1. Real-Time Applications: WebSocket is ideal for real-time applications that require instant and continuous communication between clients and servers. Examples include chat applications, collaborative tools, real-time gaming, stock market updates, and live data streaming.

2. Push Notifications: WebSocket can be used to implement push notification systems where the server can push updates or notifications to connected clients in real-time. This eliminates the need for clients to constantly poll the server for new updates, reducing latency and improving efficiency.

3. Collaborative Applications: WebSocket enables seamless collaboration between multiple users by providing a persistent connection where changes made by one user can be instantly reflected on the screens of other connected users.

4. Live Data Feeds: WebSocket is well-suited for applications that require real-time data updates, such as live sports scores, financial data, social media feeds, and IoT sensor data. It allows the server to push data updates to clients as soon as they are available.

5. Multiplayer Gaming: WebSocket enables real-time, low-latency communication between players in multiplayer games, allowing for a smooth gaming experience with synchronized actions and real-time updates.

In summary, WebSocket protocol is most suitable for applications that require real-time, bidirectional communication and where instant updates and low-latency interaction between clients and servers are critical