SSE-VS-WEBSOCKET

HTTP streaming — SSE simple unidirectional, WebSocket bidirectional complex.

Definition

SSE (EventSource API, HTML5): text/event-stream MIME type, automatic reconnect, simple. Ideal to push MDN/CONTRL status to a real-time EDI dashboard. WebSocket (RFC 6455): binary and text, bidirectional, <50 ms latency. More complex to implement but required for interactive push (partner support chat, live configuration).

Origin

SSE introduced in HTML5 (2011). WebSocket in RFC 6455 (2011).

Example in context

An EDI dashboard subscribing to /api/v1/events via SSE and receiving real-time ack metrics.

Related terms

• Webhook vs polling — related concept.