What Is WebSocket?
WebSocket is a protocol that establishes a persistent, full-duplex connection between client and server, allowing either side to send messages at any time wi...
Published October 9, 2026
WebSocket is a protocol that establishes a persistent, full-duplex connection between client and server, allowing either side to send messages at any time without the request/response cycle HTTP normally requires.
Why it exists
- Regular HTTP requires the client to initiate every exchange, making genuinely real-time, server-initiated updates awkward without workarounds
- WebSocket keeps a single connection open, over which both sides can send data whenever needed, in either direction
How to apply it
- Use WebSocket for genuinely real-time features like chat, live notifications, or collaborative editing
- A WebSocket connection starts as a normal HTTP request that then "upgrades" to the WebSocket protocol via a 101 status response
FAQ
Does every real-time feature need WebSocket?
Not necessarily — simpler alternatives like Server-Sent Events or long polling can be sufficient (and simpler to operate) for one-directional, server-to-client updates.