Semicolony ELI5 · comic

WebSockets.

Leaving the phone line open instead of redialling before every sentence.

Calling… again.

1
Plain HTTP redials for every exchange: ask, answer, hang up. Repeat.
2
A WebSocket starts with a quick handshake that upgrades the connection to stay open.
3
Now the line is held open — and either side can speak whenever, both ways.
New message!

4
The server can push to you unprompted — no need to keep asking “anything new?”
5
That is why chat, games, and live dashboards use it: instant, two-way, no redial.
6
The cost: an open line ties up resources, and dropped lines need reconnect logic.

One open line, either side can speak — versus redialling for every message.

Semicolony semicolony.dev/eli5/websockets/comic