Evaluating Long Polling vs WebSockets

Web applications traditionally operate on a client-server model where clients request data from servers using HTTP/HTTPS, but this model can be inefficient for real-time data updates due to the need for constant polling. Long polling improves upon this by maintaining the connection until data is available, reducing the number of requests needed, while WebSockets offer a more advanced solution by establishing a persistent, bidirectional communication channel that allows real-time data exchange without repeated requests. Long polling is advantageous in environments with low bandwidth or unstable networks due to its compatibility and automatic reconnection capabilities, whereas WebSockets excel in providing seamless real-time updates when network conditions are stable. Technologies like PubNub enhance these methods by offering real-time data APIs and SDKs for various applications, simplifying the development of event-driven, scalable real-time solutions without the complexities of managing infrastructure.