Long polling is a technique for keeping a connection open between a client and a server until the server has new data to send to the client. This is in contrast to traditional polling, where the client periodically sends a request to the server to see if there is any new data available.
Long polling works by the client making a request to the server and then waiting for a response. If the server has new data to send, it will send the data back to the client. If the server does not have new data to send, it will keep the connection open until it does.
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Long polling has a few advantages over traditional polling. First, it can reduce the number of requests that are made to the server. This can improve performance, especially if the server is under heavy load. Second, long polling can allow the client to receive data as soon as it is available, without having to wait for the next polling interval.
However, long polling also has some disadvantages. First, it can keep the connection open for a long time, even if there is no new data available. This can waste resources on the server. Second, long polling can be difficult to implement, especially in complex applications.
Overall, long polling is a useful technique for keeping a connection open between a client and a server. However, it is important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages before using it.
Here are some examples of when long polling might be used:
- A chat application where users want to receive messages as soon as they are sent.
- A live streaming application where users want to watch the stream without having to refresh the page.
- A stock ticker application where users want to see the latest stock prices.
If you are considering using long polling in your application, it is important to keep the following in mind:
- The frequency of data updates. If the data is updated frequently, then long polling may not be the best option.
- The number of concurrent users. If there are a large number of concurrent users, then long polling can put a strain on the server.
- The implementation complexity. Long polling can be difficult to implement, especially in complex applications.
