SockJS
SockJS is a JavaScript library that provides a WebSocket-like object in the browser. It automatically falls back to other transports like HTTP long-polling if WebSockets are not available.
websocket
realtime
communication
SockJS: JavaScript Library for WebSocket-like Object
SockJS is a JavaScript library that provides a WebSocket-like object in the browser. It automatically falls back to other transports like HTTP long-polling if WebSockets are not available.
What is SockJS?
SockJS is a JavaScript library that provides a WebSocket-like object in the browser. It allows real-time bidirectional communication between a client and a server.
The key features of SockJS include:
- It provides a WebSocket-like object for ease of use like the WebSocket API
- It automatically falls back to other transports like HTTP long-polling, JSONP polling etc if WebSockets are not available or blocked
- It supports older browsers like Internet Explorer 8 and 9 that do not have WebSocket support
- It handles network issues like temporary disconnections and retries to establish a connection automatically
- It works around browser restrictions on cross-domain requests
- It provides server implementations in languages like Java, Node.js, Ruby, PHP etc to integrate SockJS easily into apps
In summary, SockJS aims to provide a WebSocket-like bidirectional communication channel between clients and servers while gracefully degrading to other options when WebSockets are not ideal. It simplifies real-time web development greatly.
SockJS Features
Features
- WebSocket emulation - Provides a WebSocket-like object in the browser
- Transparent fallback - Automatically falls back to other transports like HTTP long-polling if WebSockets are not available
- Cross-browser - Works across all major browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc
- Multiple transports - Supports WebSocket, HTTP streaming, HTTP long-polling, etc
- Heartbeats - Sends heartbeat messages to detect broken connections
- Session multiplexing - Allows sharing a connection for multiple sessions
Pricing
- Open Source
Pros
Easy to use API
Good cross-browser support
Transparent fallback provides reliability
Actively maintained and updated
Cons
Can add complexity when not needed
Additional dependency
May have lower performance than raw WebSockets
Official Links
The Best SockJS Alternatives
Top Development and Javascript Libraries and other similar apps like SockJS
Here are some alternatives to SockJS:
Suggest an alternative ❐
Socket.io
Socket.io is an open source JavaScript library that enables real-time, event-based communication between web clients and servers. It uses the WebSocket protocol to provide full-duplex, bidirectional communication channels over a single TCP connection. The key features of Socket.io include:Real-time messaging - Socket.io enables messaging between clients and servers with minimal...
Bone.io
Bone.io is an open-source web-based wireframing and website mockup tool. It provides a simple drag-and-drop interface that allows users to quickly construct the basic wireframes and layouts for websites and web applications.Some key features of Bone.io include:Intuitive drag-and-drop editor for adding and arranging elements on pagesLibrary of common components like...
Primus
Primus is a SaaS platform created specifically to meet the needs of retail brands. It utilizes advanced AI and machine learning to provide actionable customer insights, inventory and supply chain visibility, and omnichannel process automation.Key features of Primus include:Customer intelligence - Analyzes historical and real-time data to reveal customer behavior...
SocketCluster
SocketCluster is an open source realtime framework for Node.js that allows for fast and scalable realtime communication between servers and clients. It provides a distributed architecture out of the box to build chat, IoT and other realtime applications.Some key features of SocketCluster include:Fast and reliable realtime communication based on WebSocketsAutomatic...
Faye
Faye is an open-source web messaging and notification system designed for real-time web applications. It is based on the publish-subscribe messaging design pattern to enable event-driven communication between a server and clients.Here are some key things to know about Faye:Implemented in JavaScript and runs on Node.js serversUses websocket connections for...
UbSub
UbSub is an open-source subtitle editor software designed for creating, timing, and managing subtitles and closed captions for video files. It provides an intuitive user interface and workflow to make the subtitling process easy and efficient.Some key features of UbSub include:Waveform and video preview to visually time and sync subtitles.Support...