WebSockets — IT Glossary | ITU Online IT Training
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WebSockets

Commonly used in Web Development, Networking

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WebSockets is a communication protocol that enables real-time, bidirectional data exchange between a client and a server over a single TCP connection. It is designed to facilitate low-latency, persistent communication, making it ideal for interactive web applications.

How It Works

WebSockets establish a connection through a process called the handshake, where the client and server agree to upgrade an existing HTTP connection to a WebSocket connection. Once established, this connection remains open, allowing both parties to send and receive data asynchronously without the need to repeatedly open new connections. The protocol uses a lightweight framing mechanism to transmit messages efficiently, supporting text and binary data formats. This persistent connection reduces the overhead associated with traditional request-response models, enabling continuous data flow.

Common Use Cases

  • Real-time chat applications where instant message delivery is essential.
  • Live sports updates and news feeds that require immediate data refreshes.
  • Online multiplayer games that need continuous, low-latency communication.
  • Financial trading platforms providing real-time stock price updates.
  • Collaborative tools like shared document editing or whiteboards.

Why It Matters

WebSockets are crucial for developers building interactive, real-time web applications, as they enable a more dynamic user experience compared to traditional HTTP requests. For IT professionals and certification candidates, understanding WebSockets is important because it underpins many modern web and mobile applications that demand instant data exchange. Mastery of this protocol can improve system design, troubleshooting, and security considerations in environments where real-time communication is a key requirement.

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