WebSocket is a communication protocol that provides full-duplex communication channels over a single, long-lived connection. It allows for interactive and real-time data transfer between clients and servers. Unlike traditional HTTP, where each request/response cycle requires establishing a new connection, WebSocket maintains a persistent connection, enabling continuous data exchange without the overhead of repeatedly opening and closing connections.
The protocol begins with a handshake initiated by the client through an HTTP request. Once the server acknowledges and agrees to upgrade the connection, the protocol switches from HTTP to WebSocket. After the handshake, the client and server can send messages to each other independently and simultaneously, making it ideal for applications requiring real-time interactions, such as chat applications, live notifications, and online gaming.
One of the key features of WebSocket is its efficiency. Since the connection remains open, there's minimal latency and lower overhead compared to traditional HTTP polling. This allows for smoother and faster updates, which is crucial for applications that require immediate responses or frequent data updates. Additionally, WebSocket works well with modern web technologies and frameworks, making it a popular choice for developers looking to build responsive and interactive web applications.