What are the differences between SSE and long polling?

What are the differences between SSE and long polling?

SSE, or Server-Sent Events, allows a server to push updates to the client over a single HTTP connection. Long polling, on the other hand, involves the client making a request to the server, which holds the request open until new data is available.

Which one is more efficient for real-time applications?

SSE is generally more efficient for real-time applications because it maintains a single connection for multiple updates, reducing overhead. Long polling can lead to increased latency and resource usage due to repeated opening and closing of connections.

Are there any limitations to using SSE?

Yes, SSE only works over HTTP/1.1 and is not supported in older browsers. It also doesn't support bi-directional communication like WebSockets.

When should I choose long polling over SSE?

You might choose long polling if you need compatibility with older browsers or if your application requires bi-directional communication, as long polling can be adapted for that.