WEBHOOK-VS-POLLING

Push (webhook) vs pull (polling) — the choice that shapes EDI architecture.

Definition

Webhook advantages: real-time (latency < 1 s), no wasted requests. Disadvantages: requires a signed public URL, retry handling (if webhook fails, who replays it?), debugging is hard. Polling advantages: simplicity (no server infra), ideal for SMBs. Disadvantages: latency (polling interval), wasted requests. Recommendation: webhook by default, polling fallback.

Origin

General integration engineering concept, popularised by GitHub Webhooks (2008), Stripe Webhooks (2011).

Example in context

An AS2 hub calling a webhook https://acme.com/edi/inbound every time an INVOIC arrives.

Related terms

• Webhook bridge — related concept.