CODEWITHSUNDEEP
javascriptwebwebsocketclient-serverchat
AngryOliver
AngryOliver

Reputation: 397

WebSocket and browsers support

I'm considering using WebSocket in order to implement a basic 1-1 chat application.

According to this website: http://caniuse.com/websockets
IE6-IE9 doesn't support WebSocket.

I think in 2014 it's legitimate not to support IE6/7, but still many users use IE8/9.

So I think choosing WebSocket isn't good for me.

What do you think about my case? Should I use WebSocket? and what's the best alternative?

Thanks.

Update:
I'm using Play! framework

Upvotes: 0

Views: 1252

Answers (2)

oberstet
oberstet

Reputation: 22011

There is a Flash based WebSocket polyfill that works on older IEs: https://github.com/gimite/web-socket-js

Then there is Google Chrome Frame for IE.

To mitigate problems with intermediaries not aware of WebSocket, use TLS (secure WebSocket). That will make it work in nearly all situations (exception being MITM / TLS intercepting proxies).

Upvotes: 2

Baldy
Baldy

Reputation: 2002

Websockets work great when they are supported by the browser and by all the plumbing between your service and client. In addition to the browser issues, many proxies and load balancers don't support websockets either.

I would suggest using websockets but also implementing some sort of fallback to long-polling or server-sent events if that doesn't work.

Since you didn't mention server types or languages, I'm unable to provide any recommendations.

Upvotes: 1

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