WebSocket vs Long Polling: The Battle for Real-Time Data

Standard HTTP is a "request-response" cycle. The client asks, and the server answers. But what if the server has something new to say and the client hasn't asked yet?

The Old Way: Long Polling

In long polling, the client makes a request, and the server holds it open until new data is available. This is resource-intensive because every update requires a new HTTP handshake.

The Modern Way: WebSocket

WebSocket starts as an HTTP request (the "Upgrade" header) but then transforms into a persistent, full-duplex connection. Both sides can send data at any time with extremely low overhead.

Which One to Use?

Use WebSockets for chat, multiplayer games, and live feeds. Use standard HTTP (or Server-Sent Events) for things that update less frequently or where proxy/firewall compatibility is a major concern.