WebSocket

WebSocket is a communication protocol, standardized by the IETF as RFC 6455, that provides full-duplex communication channels over a single TCP connection. It is designed to be implemented in web browsers and web servers, enabling real-time data exchange between a client and a server. Unlike HTTP, which is a request-response protocol, WebSocket allows for persistent connections, enabling the server to push data to the client without the client explicitly requesting it.

WebSocket establishes its connection through an HTTP Upgrade mechanism. The client sends an HTTP request to the server, asking to upgrade the connection to WebSocket. If the server supports the WebSocket protocol, it acknowledges the request and establishes the persistent connection. Once the connection is established, data can be transmitted in both directions without the overhead of establishing a new connection for each message.

The WebSocket protocol defines a framing format for data being transferred. This framing includes metadata such as the type of data being transmitted (text or binary) and masking of data for security reasons.

WebSocket is commonly used in applications that require real-time updates and continuous data streams, such as online gaming, collaborative editing tools, financial trading platforms, and instant messaging applications. Its ability to provide low-latency, bidirectional communication makes it a superior choice over techniques like HTTP polling or long-polling for these types of applications.

While offering performance benefits for specific use cases, WebSocket adds complexity to server infrastructure and requires careful consideration of security aspects. Proper resource management is crucial to handle a large number of persistent connections efficiently.