What are common use cases for WebSockets?
Answer
WebSockets are ideal for applications that require low-latency, bidirectional, real-time data flow. Common use cases: (1) Live chat — messaging apps like Slack, Discord, WhatsApp Web; (2) Collaborative tools — Google Docs-style real-time editing, Figma's multiplayer design; (3) Live dashboards — monitoring metrics, analytics dashboards, server health monitors; (4) Financial applications — real-time stock prices, cryptocurrency trading platforms, order book updates; (5) Gaming — multiplayer browser games requiring low-latency input; (6) Notifications — push notifications, alert systems; (7) Live sports — score updates, play-by-play commentary; (8) IoT — device telemetry, remote control. Use cases requiring only server-to-client updates (like news feeds) often use Server-Sent Events instead for simplicity.