What is the difference between timeout and retry in network requests?

What is the difference between timeout and retry in network requests?

Timeout refers to the maximum time a request can take before it fails, while retry is the action of attempting the request again after a failure.

Can you give me an example of when to use a timeout?

Sure! If a server is taking too long to respond, setting a timeout can help prevent your application from hanging indefinitely.

And when should I implement a retry mechanism?

You should implement a retry mechanism for transient errors, like temporary network issues, where a subsequent attempt might succeed.

Is there a best practice for setting timeout and retry limits?

Yes, a common practice is to set a reasonable timeout (e.g., 30 seconds) and limit retries to a few attempts (e.g., 3) to balance performance and reliability.