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Currently, large models are quite popular. When we initiate requests on web pages or mobile clients, the communication protocol used is SSE (Server-Sent Events). HTTP and WebSocket are two communication protocols similar to SSE. These three different network communication protocols are suitable for different scenarios, and here we summarize their characteristics.
1. HTTP, SSE, and WebSocket
1. HTTP
- • Communication Mode: Unidirectional request-response protocol, where the client initiates a request, and the server returns a response and closes the connection.
- • Characteristics:
- • Short connection (HTTP/1.1 supports persistent connections, but it is still a request-response mode).
- • Poor real-time performance, relying on polling (client periodically requests) or long polling (server delays response) to obtain updates.
- • Large header information (such as Cookie, UA, etc.), low transmission efficiency, but very strong compatibility.
- • Suitable Scenarios: One-time data exchange (such as web page loading, RESTful API calls), scenarios that do not require real-time bidirectional communication.
2. SSE (Server-Sent Events)
- • Communication Mode: Unidirectional communication protocol based on HTTP, where the server actively pushes data streams to the client.
- • Characteristics:
- • Long connection: After the client establishes a connection, the server continuously pushes data segments (such as streaming text).
- • Automatic reconnection: When the connection is lost, the client automatically attempts to reconnect.
- • Lightweight: Simple implementation, no additional protocol libraries required, only supports text data (binary needs encoding).
- • Suitable Scenarios:
- • Server unidirectionally pushes data (such as news updates, large model streaming replies, stock quotes).
- • Scenarios with moderate real-time requirements and no need for the client to actively send data.
3. WebSocket
- • Communication Mode: Full-duplex protocol based on TCP, where the client and server establish a persistent connection for bidirectional real-time data transmission.
- • Characteristics:
- • Low latency: Direct communication after a single handshake, suitable for high-frequency interactions (such as multiple data transmissions per second).
- • Efficient transmission: Small data frame headers, supports both binary and text data.
- • Complexity: Requires management of connection states, higher server resource consumption.
- • Suitable Scenarios:
- • Bidirectional real-time interaction (such as online chat, collaborative work, gaming).
- • High-frequency data transmission (such as real-time audio and video, IoT device control).
2. Core Comparison
| Feature | HTTP | SSE | WebSocket |
| Communication Direction | Unidirectional (client initiated) | Unidirectional (server pushed) | Bidirectional full-duplex |
| Protocol Basis | HTTP | HTTP | Independent protocol (based on TCP) |
| Real-time Performance | Low | Medium | High |
| Connection Overhead | High (frequent handshakes) | Medium (long connection) | Low (persistent connection) |
| Data Format | Text/Binary | Text only (needs encoding) | Text/Binary |
| Typical Applications | Web page loading, API calls | News pushing, streaming replies | Chat, online gaming |
3. Selection Recommendations
- 1. HTTP: Suitable for simple request-response scenarios without real-time requirements.
- 2. SSE: If only server unidirectional push is needed and development cost is sensitive (such as large model conversations, real-time notifications).
- 3. WebSocket: Preferably choose when bidirectional high-frequency interaction is required (such as chat rooms, real-time collaboration).
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