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Socket - IO Vs WebSockets

The document compares Socket.IO and WebSockets for real-time communication, highlighting that WebSockets is a lightweight protocol requiring more effort for advanced features, while Socket.IO is a library that simplifies development with built-in functionalities like auto reconnection. It suggests using WebSockets for low-level control and lightweight communication, and Socket.IO for faster setup and built-in features. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on the project's needs and the developer's comfort level with manual feature implementation.

Uploaded by

ayed lakhal meher
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8 views13 pages

Socket - IO Vs WebSockets

The document compares Socket.IO and WebSockets for real-time communication, highlighting that WebSockets is a lightweight protocol requiring more effort for advanced features, while Socket.IO is a library that simplifies development with built-in functionalities like auto reconnection. It suggests using WebSockets for low-level control and lightweight communication, and Socket.IO for faster setup and built-in features. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on the project's needs and the developer's comfort level with manual feature implementation.

Uploaded by

ayed lakhal meher
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Created for Free at PostNitro.

ai

Socket.IO vs.
WebSockets
Which one should you choose?

NEXT
Created for Free at PostNitro.ai

1
Real-time communication is everywhere. But
when it comes to building it, one question
stands out:
Socket.IO or WebSockets?
Created for Free at PostNitro.ai

Let’s clear this up:


WebSockets: A protocol for two-way
communication over a single TCP
connection.
Socket.IO: A library built on WebSockets
(and more).
Created for Free at PostNitro.ai

What is WebSockets?
WebSockets provide:

Full-duplex communication
Low latency
Lightweight messaging
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But WebSockets is
just a protocol.
It doesn’t handle:

Automatic reconnection
Fallback options
Room-based messaging
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Enter Socket.IO.
Socket.IO is a library that builds on
WebSockets and adds:

Auto reconnection
Fallbacks (like HTTP long polling)
Event-based messaging
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Key differences:
WebSockets: Lightweight, raw protocol,
requires more effort to implement
advanced features.
Socket.IO: High-level, packed with
features out of the box.
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Socket.IO simplifies
development by:
Handling connection issues
Supporting custom events
Making it easy to scale
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But there’s a
tradeoff. Socket.IO
has:
More overhead than WebSockets
Its own protocol, which means it's not
fully WebSocket-compatible.
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So, when should you


use WebSockets?
When you need low-level control
For lightweight, direct communication
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10

When should you


use Socket.IO?
If you want built-in features like
reconnection and rooms
If you want a faster setup for real-time
apps
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11

To summarize:
WebSockets is the core protocol for
real-time communication.
Socket.IO makes it easier to implement
but with added complexity.
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12

Both are great tools.


The choice depends
on:
Your project’s needs
Your comfort level with building
features manually

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