Ajax Polling
Ajax Polling is a client-server communication technique where a client repeatedly sends HTTP requests (polls) to a server at regular intervals to check for new data or updates. It uses asynchronous JavaScript and XML (Ajax) to make these requests without reloading the web page, enabling real-time-like data fetching in web applications. This approach is simple to implement but can be inefficient due to constant network traffic and server load.
Developers should use Ajax Polling when building applications that require periodic data updates, such as live notifications, chat applications, or dashboards with real-time metrics, especially in environments where simpler alternatives like WebSockets or Server-Sent Events are not supported. It is suitable for low-frequency updates or legacy systems, but for high-frequency or low-latency needs, more efficient methods are recommended to reduce bandwidth and server overhead.