SignalR
SignalR is an open-source library for ASP.NET that enables real-time web functionality, allowing server-side code to push content to connected clients instantly. It simplifies adding real-time features like chat, notifications, live dashboards, and collaborative applications by abstracting the complexities of WebSockets, Server-Sent Events, and long polling. It supports automatic connection management, scaling across servers, and integration with various client platforms.
Developers should learn SignalR when building applications requiring real-time, bidirectional communication between server and clients, such as live chat systems, real-time gaming, stock tickers, or collaborative editing tools. It's particularly valuable in ASP.NET ecosystems for its seamless integration with .NET Core/ASP.NET Core, automatic fallback mechanisms for older browsers, and built-in support for scaling with backplanes like Redis or Azure SignalR Service.