Polling vs Long-Polling vs Webhooks (System Design Tradeoffs) PDF

❗ 216 Polling vs Long-Polling vs Webhooks - System Design Tradeoffs ** Polling, long-polling, and webhooks are three techniques used in applications for ** ** ** **...

❗ 216 Polling vs Long-Polling vs Webhooks - System Design Tradeoffs ** Polling, long-polling, and webhooks are three techniques used in applications for ** ** ** ** ** * * * ** getting updates or information, each with its own mechanism and use case. ** ** *** Polling ** Definition: Polling is a technique where the client repeatedly requests (polls) a ** ** ** * ** ** server at regular intervals to get new or updated data. ** ** * ** Characteristics: ** *** Regular Requests: The client makes requests at fixed intervals (e.g., every * ** *** *** 5 seconds). *** Client-Initiated: The client initiates each request. * ** ** Example: A weather app that checks for updated weather information ** *** *** *** every 15 minutes by sending a request to the weather server. *** ** Pros: ** *** Simple to Implement: Easy to set up on the client side. *** * * ** Cons: ** ** Inefficient: Generates a lot of unnecessary traffic and server load, ** *** *** *** *** * especially if there are no new updates. * ** Delay in Updates: There's always a delay between the actual update ** *** *** and the client receiving it.  ❗ * Long-Polling * ** Definition: Long-polling is an enhanced version of polling where the server ** ** ** *** *** * holds the request open until new data is available to send back to the client. * ** Characteristics: ** *** Open Connection: The server keeps the connection open for a period until *** * * there's new data or a timeout occurs. * * *** *** *** *** *** Reduced Traffic: Less frequent requests compared to traditional polling. *** * * *** Example: A chat application where the client sends a request to the server and * ** *** *** * the server holds the request until new messages are available. * * Once new messages arrive, the server responds, * * and the client immediately sends another request. * ** Pros: ** ** More Timely Updates: Clients can receive updates more quickly after they * * ** occur. *** Reduced Network Traffic: Less frequent requests than standard polling. * ** ** Cons: ** ** Resource Intensive on the Server: Holding connections open can ** consume server resources. Webhooks ** Definition: Webhooks are user-defined HTTP callbacks that are triggered by ** *** *** ***  ❗ specific events. *** When the event occurs, the source site makes an HTTP request to the URL *** configured for the webhook. *** ** Characteristics: ** *** Server-Initiated: The server sends data when there’s a new update, * ** *** without the client needing to request it. *** ** Event-Driven: Triggered by specific events in the server. ** *** Example: A project management tool where a webhook is set up to notify * ** *** *** * a team's chat application whenever a new task is created. * The creation of the task triggers a webhook that sends data directly to the * chat app. * ** Pros: ** ** Real-Time: Provides real-time updates. ** ** Efficient: Eliminates the need for polling, reducing network traffic and load. ** ** Cons: ** *** Complexity in Handling: The client needs to be capable of receiving and * ** handling incoming HTTP requests. *** Security Considerations: Requires secure handling to prevent malicious * ** data reception. Key Differences ** Initiation and Traffic: Polling is client-initiated with frequent traffic, long- ** ** ** ** polling also starts with the client but reduces traffic by keeping the request ** open, and webhooks are server-initiated, requiring no polling. ** ** ** Real-Time Updates: Webhooks offer the most real-time updates, while polling ** ** ** ** ** and long-polling have inherent delays. ** ** Conclusion The choice between polling, long-polling, and webhooks depends on the ** ** ** ** ** ** application's requirements for real-time updates, server and client capabilities, and *** *** *** *** *** efficiency considerations. *** ** Polling is simple but can be inefficient, ** *** *** *** *** ** long-polling offers a middle ground with more timely updates, and ** *** *** ** webhooks provide real-time updates efficiently but require the client to handle ** *** *** *** *** incoming requests.