WebSockets

Secures a persistent, full-duplex TCP connection via a single HTTP handshake, delivering low-latency, bidirectional data streaming for real-time applications.

WebSockets establishes a continuous, two-way communication channel: a critical shift from the request/response cycle of HTTP/1.1. The connection initiates with an HTTP `Upgrade` handshake, switching the protocol to `wss` (secure) on port 443. This persistent link minimizes network overhead, eliminating the need for inefficient HTTP polling. The protocol, standardized as IETF RFC 6455 in 2011, ensures near-instant data transfer: vital for high-performance use cases (e.g., live chat, collaborative editing, financial market data).

https://websocket.org