SocketIO Vs. WebSocket
Tags: socketio, websocket, realtimedata, marketdata
Published: 2023-03-14 07:12:16

User expectations have shifted dramatically over the last few years; we demand quick content and real-time data. Web technology has advanced to the point where two-way (or full-duplex) data flow between client and server is now possible by leveraging WebSockets or SocketIO.

## What is a WebSocket? 
A WebSocket is a predefined Protocol that allows for (TCP) bi-directional communication between a server and a client; in the case of real-time data solutions, we supply a market data server to which a client connects.

## What is SocketIO?
SocketIO is a JavaScript implementation of the WebSocket protocol, created by Guillermo Rauch, and is published under the MIT License. This is another bi-directional communication technology. It permits communication between a client and a server.

### What do Client Side and Server Side mean?

### Client-side: 
A client-side program could be browser-based or operate on a consumer system. For real-time data streaming, the client side is the data consumer. This can be a client machine program or a browser.

### Server-Side: 
The server accepts client connections and then streams data when the communication is active. This is currency data in the context of TraderMade; the client connects to the server and provides login information and symbol requests. When new data is received, the server distributes it to all connected clients.

Let us now discuss technologies:

## WebSocket

### What are the main characteristics of WebSocket?

#### Simplifies Client-Server Communication:
The WebSocket Protocol simplifies client-server communication by adhering to a predefined standard that any developer can write to.

#### Full-Duplex Communication:
The client and server can both send data simultaneously. Half-Duplex systems operate on a send-and-receive basis. They allow data to move one way at a time.

#### Platform and language independence:
Because the protocol is language agnostic, data can be sent from a Java client on a Linux server to a Python client on a Windows machine.

### The URL structure for WebSockets
The WebSocket URL format is based on the same principles as a simple website URL structure. However, with a few key differences.
ws:/example.com:5555/feed 
or SSL 
wss:/example.com:5555/feed Schema/Host/Port/Endpoint

So, how does the WebSocket function, and how can it be useful?

#### Continuous Communication: 
The client-server connection is simple, resilient, and persistent. In the context of our API, this implies that clients can connect to our data server and receive fast and reliable Forex, Metals, and CFD prices in real time.

#### Secure standard:
 the protocol has been created and specified, and numerous reliable libraries are available in various programming languages, including Java, C#, Golang, and Python, to mention a few.

#### Easy to integrate:
WebSockets are simple and quick to integrate, which reduces development time.

Please see our [tutorials](https://tradermade.com/tutorials) page for help with WebSocket implementation.

However, before you start building, there is another choice!!

## SocketIO
SocketIO is a WebSocket protocol implementation. Therefore, everything excellent about WebSocket is also great about SocketIO. However, it also has some advantages and cons.

### What are the main benefits of SocketIO?

- Wrapper for WebSocket events between Client and Server.
- Supports Proxy and Load Balancers: SocketIO can handle connections routed through proxy servers and load balancers.
- With broadcasting support, you can simultaneously transmit the same message to several clients.
- Fallback options

### What are the main drawbacks of SocketIO?

- WebSocket is a protocol, whereas it is a library. Because SocketIO is a library, you must rely on those libraries to accomplish what you need and work as intended.
- Client and Server, For it to work, both the client and the server must have implemented the SocketIO libraries.
- WebSocket has fewer implementations, but its platform and language coverage are substantially better.

## WebSocket Vs. SocketIO Comparison

### SocketIO

- Wrapper for WebSockets
- Client-server communication is based on events.
- Proxy and load balancing is handled.
- Helps with broadcasting
- Allows for fallback choices

### WebSocket 

- Protocol for HTTP connection establishment 
- Full-Duplex communication across TCP connections
- Proxy and load balancing is not supported.
- Broadcasting is not permitted.
- There are no fallback choices available.

## Before we start coding - Conclusion 
WebSocket Vs. Socket.IO, not much to say WebSockets is the protocol, and SocketIO is an excellent attempt to improve the standard. Standard WebSocket will meet the requirements for the vast majority of projects.

TraderMade provides reliable and accurate Forex data via its [Forex API](https://tradermade.com/forex). You can sign up for a free API key and start exploring real-time and historical data at your fingertips.

Also, please read the other tutorial: [WebSocket Vs. REST](https://dev.to/shridhargv/websocket-vs-rest-2d77)
Visit the originally posted tutorial on our website: [SocketIO Vs. WebSocket](https://tradermade.com/tutorials/socketio-vs-websocket)