glossary.categories.networking
WebSocket
A protocol providing full-duplex communication channels over a single TCP connection.
Definition
WebSocket is a communication protocol that provides full-duplex (two-way) communication channels over a single TCP connection. Unlike HTTP, which follows a request-response model, WebSocket allows servers to push data to clients without the client first requesting it. This makes WebSocket ideal for real-time applications like chat, gaming, live updates, and collaborative tools.
Examples
WebSocket Connection
Establishing and using a WebSocket connection.
// Client-side WebSocket
const ws = new WebSocket('wss://example.com/socket');
ws.onopen = () => {
console.log('Connected');
ws.send(JSON.stringify({ type: 'subscribe', channel: 'updates' }));
};
ws.onmessage = (event) => {
const data = JSON.parse(event.data);
console.log('Received:', data);
};
ws.onerror = (error) => {
console.error('WebSocket error:', error);
};
ws.onclose = (event) => {
console.log('Disconnected:', event.code, event.reason);
};Use Cases
Real-time chat applications
Live dashboards and monitoring
Multiplayer gaming
Collaborative editing tools
Live sports scores and trading
Best Practices
- Implement reconnection logic for dropped connections
- Use secure WebSocket (wss://) in production
- Handle connection state properly
- Implement heartbeat/ping-pong for connection health
- Monitor WebSocket connection availability
FAQ
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