When designing WebSocket servers, understanding the distinction between stateful and stateless architectures is crucial. This knowledge not only aids in building efficient systems but also prepares you for technical interviews at top tech companies.
WebSockets provide a full-duplex communication channel over a single TCP connection, allowing real-time data exchange between clients and servers. This is particularly useful for applications like chat apps, online gaming, and live notifications.
A stateful WebSocket server maintains the state of each client connection. This means that the server keeps track of user sessions, data, and interactions. Here are some key characteristics:
In contrast, a stateless WebSocket server does not retain any information about client sessions. Each request from the client is treated independently. Here are the main features:
The choice between stateful and stateless WebSocket servers depends on the specific requirements of your application:
Understanding the differences between stateful and stateless WebSocket servers is essential for designing robust systems. In technical interviews, be prepared to discuss the trade-offs of each approach and how they apply to real-world scenarios. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also in your future projects as a software engineer or data scientist.