WebSocket is a communication protocol that allows for full-duplex (two-way) communication over a single TCP connection. It is designed to be used for real-time, bi-directional communication between a client and a server.
WebSocket is different from other network protocols like HTTP because it allows for persistent connections between the client and the server, and it allows for the transfer of data in both directions. This makes it well-suited for applications that require low-latency, real-time communication, such as online games, chat applications, and collaborative applications.
WebSocket uses a handshake mechanism to establish a connection between the client and the server, and once the connection is established, data can be transferred in both directions using a simple framing protocol. WebSocket is designed to be used in web browsers, and it is supported by most modern browsers. It is also supported by a number of other technologies and platforms, including Delphi, which provides support for WebSocket through the Delphi WebSocket component.
Datasnap
Delphi DataSnap is a technology in Delphi that allows you to create multi-tier database applications. It allows you to create a server application that can provide data and services to client applications, and to create client applications that can consume those data and services.
DataSnap uses a client-server architecture, where the server application exposes data and services to client applications, and the client applications consume those data and services. DataSnap server applications can be hosted in a standalone executable or as a Windows service, and they can be accessed by client applications using a variety of communication channels, including HTTP, TCP/IP, and WebSocket.
DataSnap provides a number of features that make it easy to create multi-tier applications, including support for database connectivity, data marshaling, authentication and authorization, and automatic generation of client proxies. It also provides a number of tools and components to help you build and deploy your DataSnap applications, including the DataSnap wizard, the DataSnap server component, and the DataSnap client component.
Difference between Websocket and Datasnap
Delphi WebSocket is a component that provides support for WebSocket protocol in Delphi. It allows you to create WebSocket client applications that can connect to a WebSocket server and exchange data with it.
DataSnap is a technology in Delphi that allows you to create multi-tier database applications. It allows you to create a server application that can provide data and services to client applications, and to create client applications that can consume those data and services.
So, the main difference between Delphi WebSocket and DataSnap is that Delphi WebSocket is a component for implementing WebSocket communications in Delphi, while DataSnap is a technology for creating multi-tier database applications in Delphi. Delphi WebSocket can be used as one of the communication channels in a DataSnap application, but it is not limited to that use case and can be used in any Delphi application that needs to communicate over WebSocket.