WebSockets are a protocol designed for full-duplex web communications, enabling real-time, bidirectional communication between clients and servers over a single, long-lived connection. Unlike traditional HTTP, which operates on a request-response model, WebSockets allow the server to push data to the client without requiring a request from the client, and vice versa. This capability is essential for modern web applications that demand instantaneous communication, such as chat applications, live notifications, and online gaming ⁵.

The WebSocket protocol maintains a persistent connection, which reduces the overhead associated with establishing multiple HTTP connections. This characteristic allows for more efficient data transfer and lower latency, making it suitable for applications that require continuous data exchange ⁵. WebSockets are widely supported across major web browsers, and many web frameworks provide libraries to facilitate their implementation ¹.

For developers looking to implement WebSockets, resources such as Mozilla’s Developer Resources and various tutorials can provide valuable guidance ¹².