recall

← recall

polling pattern

Client asks the server for new data on a regular interval. Simple, robust, debuggable — but wastes calls when nothing has changed and is slow when something has.

Client asks the server for new data on a regular interval. Simple, robust, debuggable — but wastes calls when nothing has changed and is slow when something has.

symptoms

  • lots of empty responses
  • lag between event and detection
  • API rate limits eaten by polling

causes

  • no push channel available
  • operational simplicity preference

fixes

  • long-polling for lower latency
  • webhooks if server can push
  • server-sent events / WebSocket for streaming

you might say

  • just poll for it
  • we'll poll every 30s

related

topics: api-design

references: