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Frontend Glossary

Frontend engineering · Networking

WebSocket

Also called: WS, Persistent socket, Full-duplex socket

A long-lived browser-server connection where either side can push messages—useful for cursors, live notifications, and games.

In detail

HTTP is request/response; after a WebSocket handshake the connection stays open and the server can push anytime. Chat, collaborative editing, and live dashboards use it.

You then own reconnects, heartbeats, and horizontal scaling (who holds the socket). If the server only occasionally pushes, SSE is often simpler.

Authenticate on connect and think about backpressure; don't assume ordered, guaranteed delivery unless your protocol adds it.

Developer info
Term ID
eng-websocket
DOM selectors
No DOM cues. This concept isn't detected directly on a page.
Priority
1 · when several match at the same level, the higher priority wins
Version
v1 · updated Oct 5, 2026