What is the difference between websocket and socket?

WebSocket is a protocol that enables full-duplex communication between web browsers and servers. It is based on HTTP but allows for persistent connections during the lifetime of the connection, enabling servers to push data to clients actively. Using standard TCP sockets, WebSocket facilitates two-way communication, allowing for message sending and receiving without the need to establish new connections for each request as with HTTP.

A socket is a programming interface and abstraction used for communication on a computer network. It allows for data transfer over network connections, enabling bidirectional communication between clients and servers. Sockets can utilize various protocols for data transmission, such as TCP and UDP. They can also be used for communication between different processes on the same computer, referred to as local sockets.

Therefore, WebSocket is a protocol for full-duplex communication between web browsers and servers, while Socket is a general network communication interface that allows for bidirectional communication on the network. WebSocket is commonly used for real-time communication in web applications, while Socket can be used in various other network communication settings.