Click the above“blue text” to follow us
I just returned from a meeting with my boss, and he immediately asked, “Why is our app so slow? Especially when the network is unstable, it’s so laggy that it makes people want to throw their phones!” I thought to myself, isn’t this just the old problem of the TCP protocol? If a data packet is lost, everything that follows has to wait, and users are left waiting until their hair turns gray. If you are facing similar issues, then today is your lucky day—HTTP/3 and the QUIC protocol might just be your savior.
http.
Why is the traditional HTTP protocol so frustrating?
Imagine you are in line at KFC to order. The person in front orders a huge family bucket, but then realizes they are missing a chicken wing, and the whole line has to wait for them to complete their order. This is the head-of-line blocking problem of TCP. If one packet is lost, all subsequent packets have to wait, even though they could be processed independently.
HTTP/1.1 tried to solve this with multiple connections, but opening multiple TCP connections is like standing in line again just to buy chicken wings; it’s a temporary fix that doesn’t address the root cause. HTTP/2 supports multiplexing, but it is still based on TCP, so packet loss at the network layer still causes delays. Google couldn’t stand it anymore, so they took matters into their own hands—the QUIC protocol was born.
The QUIC protocol essentially re-implements reliable transmission of TCP over UDP while addressing all of TCP’s historical baggage. It is the foundation of HTTP/3.
quictcp.
QUIC: The Inevitable Evolution of TCP
What’s so amazing about QUIC? It’s based on UDP! What? Using unreliable UDP to achieve reliable transmission? That’s right! It’s like building a skyscraper with subpar materials.
QUIC has three core advantages:
First, it completely resolves the head-of-line blocking. Each data stream is independent; if one stream is blocked, it does not affect the others. It’s like KFC opening multiple windows; a problem at one window doesn’t affect the others.
Second, initial connections are faster. Traditional HTTPS handshakes require TCP’s three-way handshake plus TLS handshake, but QUIC combines these, saving several round trips. It’s so fast that even your boss praises your network optimization.
Third, it supports connection migration. This means that when a phone switches from 4G to WiFi, the connection does not drop. It’s like switching cars while taking a taxi, but you can still listen to the same song.
goquic.
Go Language: The Perfect Partner for QUIC Protocol
Implementing a QUIC server in Go is super simple, mainly using the quic-go library. Here’s the code:
package main
import (
"context"
"log"
"net/http"
"github.com/quic-go/quic-go/http3"
)
func main() {
handler := http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
w.Write([]byte("Hello from QUIC server!"))
})
server := http3.Server{
Addr: ":4433",
Handler: handler,
}
log.Fatal(server.ListenAndServeTLS("cert.pem", "key.pem"))
}
With just a few lines, a server based on HTTP/3 is up and running! Isn’t it much simpler than you imagined? The key point is that http3.Server replaces the standard library’s http.Server, implementing all the QUIC magic under the hood.
Of course, don’t forget that HTTP/3 requires a TLS certificate because QUIC enforces encryption. Security has shifted from optional to mandatory, which is an improvement!
quic.
QUIC Performance Comparison: Data Doesn’t Lie
After all this, how much faster is QUIC? Let’s compare it with HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2:
In a weak network environment (2% packet loss), QUIC completes page loading about 30% faster than HTTP/2. It’s like you and a colleague delivering the same batch of files; you return in 30 minutes while he is still stuck in traffic.
For small file transfers, due to reduced handshake times, QUIC is about 15%-20% faster. Imagine your app’s first screen loading time dropping from 3 seconds to 2.4 seconds; your boss’s smile will be ear-to-ear.
The most dramatic difference is in connection migration scenarios. When users switch from WiFi to 4G, TCP connections drop and reconnect, while QUIC switches almost seamlessly. This is the difference between “video buffering interruptions” and “smooth playback”.
Remember, QUIC is not a panacea. In environments with good network conditions and low latency, its advantages are not as pronounced. Choosing technology should depend on the specific scenario.
quic1.
When Should You Use QUIC?
If your application has these characteristics, hurry up and adopt QUIC:
Mobile applications are the first choice. Mobile users often switch between different networks, and QUIC’s connection migration is a lifesaver.
Next are applications in weak network environments. Rural areas, elevator shafts, underground garages—these places with poor network signals see better performance with QUIC.
Additionally, if your application is particularly sensitive to initial loading speed, such as e-commerce websites, users may leave if they have to wait, and QUIC can help retain these users.
Of course, implementing QUIC also has challenges. Some older network devices may block UDP traffic. Moreover, while Go’s QUIC library is user-friendly, it is still under active development, and the API may change.
Network protocols are like programming languages; there is no best one, only the most suitable one. The key is to understand your application scenario and user needs. So, for your next Go server project, why not give QUIC a try? Experiment with it and experience the charm of future internet protocols!
