WebSocket Implementation: Real-Time Communication in Web Applications
February 22, 2024•1 min read
WebSocketReal-TimeSocket.ioBackend
# WebSocket Implementation: Real-Time Communication in Web Applications
WebSockets enable bidirectional, real-time communication between clients and servers, essential for chat applications, live updates, and collaborative features.
## WebSocket Fundamentals
### Server Implementation (NestJS)
```typescript
import { WebSocketGateway, WebSocketServer } from '@nestjs/websockets';
import { Server } from 'socket.io';
@WebSocketGateway({ cors: true })
export class ChatGateway {
@WebSocketServer()
server: Server;
@SubscribeMessage('message')
handleMessage(@MessageBody() data: string) {
this.server.emit('message', data);
}
}
```
### Client Implementation
```typescript
import { io } from 'socket.io-client';
const socket = io('http://localhost:3000');
socket.on('connect', () => {
console.log('Connected');
});
socket.emit('message', 'Hello');
socket.on('message', (data) => {
console.log('Received:', data);
});
```
## Best Practices
- Implement reconnection logic
- Use rooms for channel-based communication
- Handle connection errors gracefully
- Implement rate limiting
- Use authentication middleware
## Conclusion
WebSockets enable real-time features that enhance user experience. Implement proper error handling and scaling strategies.