WebSocket

November 21, 2023 - Around 3 mins mins to read

What Is a WebSocket?

A WebSocket is a type of communication channel that remains open, allowing for bidirectional communication between a client and a server. The process starts with a handshake, where the client sends an HTTP request to the server to establish the session.

Once the handshake is complete, both the client and server can exchange data. The server acknowledges messages initiated by the client by sending messages back to the client. This bidirectional communication channel enables control flow between the client and server, transitioning from two-way messaging to one-way messaging when using HTTP cookies.

The key feature of WebSocket is its ability to maintain an open connection between the browser and the server, enabling data transmission in both directions.

WebSocket has various applications, including chat rooms, poker games, stock tickers, multiplayer games, video streaming services, and more. To use WebSocket, you simply need to open a port in your firewall and configure your web server accordingly.

When a significant amount of data needs to be transferred between the browser and the server, it can be more efficient to establish and keep an open connection until the task is completed. This is particularly advantageous when dealing with large or frequently changing data. The HTML5 WebSocket API allows you to achieve this.

Using WebSockets can improve the efficiency of web applications by reducing latency, resulting in enhanced user experiences.

Here are some scenarios where WebSocket enables a better user experience:

Real-time web applications: WebSockets provide bidirectional communication channels over a single TCP socket. Unlike HTTP, WebSocket connections can remain active indefinitely. They are designed for two-way communication between the client and server, especially when a large amount of data needs to be sent from the server to the client without any loss or waiting for the client to request more data.

Trading websites rely on WebSocket channels to keep users informed about fluctuations. The backend servers of these websites continuously push data to the client end through the same open channel.

Gaming applications: WebSocket is widely used in gaming applications to enable real-time scenarios. It establishes a persistent connection between the client and server, allowing for seamless transmission of data without refreshing the user interface. The UI does not require another connection to receive data.

Chat applications: WebSocket is the ideal protocol for broadcasting messages among users. Chat applications establish a connection using WebSocket and utilize the same open connection to send messages.

Glossary