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Websockets and API polling are both methods for establishing communication between a client (such as a web browser) and a server. However, they differ in their approach and usage scenarios.
Web Sockets :
Websockets provide full-duplex communication channels over a single, long-lived connection between the client and the server.
They are designed for real-time communication and enable the server to instantly push data to the client.
Websockets use a persistent connection, allowing the server and the client to send data at any time without repeated requests.
This makes WebSockets well-suited for applications that require real-time updates, such as chat applications, collaborative editing tools, live dashboards, Trading apps, or real-time gaming
Long Polling or API Polling:
API polling involves the client repeatedly sending requests to the server at regular intervals to check for updates or retrieve data.
The client initiates the communication by making an HTTP request to the server, and the server responds with the requested data.
This approach is suitable for scenarios where real-time updates are not critical, and periodic updates are sufficient.
API polling may result in more network traffic and server load than websockets because the client needs to send requests even if no new data is available.
However, it is widely supported and does not require any special server-side infrastructure.
Choosing between Websockets and API polling depends on the specific requirements of your application:
If you need real-time updates and instant communication between the client and the server, WebSockets are the better choice.
If periodic updates or occasional data retrieval is sufficient and real-time updates are not critical, API polling can be a simpler and more widely supported option.