Apache HTTP Server vs Socket.IO

Overview

Apache HTTP Server

Stacks64.5K

Followers22.8K

Votes1.4K

GitHub Stars3.8K

Forks1.2K

Socket.IO

Stacks13.6K

Followers11.0K

Votes776

Apache HTTP Server vs Socket.IO: What are the differences?

Introduction

Apache HTTP Server and Socket.IO are both popular technologies used in web development. However, they serve different purposes and have key differences that set them apart. Let's explore these differences in detail.

Implementation: Apache HTTP Server is a web server software that is designed to serve HTTP requests, while Socket.IO is a JavaScript library that enables real-time bidirectional communication between clients and servers. While Apache HTTP Server focuses on serving static and dynamic content over the web, Socket.IO is specifically built for real-time applications.
Protocols: Apache HTTP Server primarily uses the HTTP and HTTPS protocols to communicate with clients. It supports various HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc. On the other hand, Socket.IO uses the WebSockets protocol, which allows for full-duplex communication over a single TCP connection. This enables real-time, low-latency data exchange between the client and the server.
Client Support: Apache HTTP Server is designed to work with any web client that can communicate over HTTP or HTTPS protocols, such as web browsers. Socket.IO, on the other hand, requires clients to have JavaScript support as it is a JavaScript library. It can be used with web browsers, but also with Node.js or other JavaScript runtime environments.
Ease of Use: Apache HTTP Server is relatively simple to set up and configure. It comes with a wide range of features and modules that can be enabled or disabled as per the requirements. Socket.IO, on the other hand, requires more configuration and setup, as it involves both server-side and client-side code for real-time communication.
Use Cases: Apache HTTP Server is commonly used for serving static and dynamic web content, hosting websites, and running web applications. It is a reliable choice for handling high volumes of HTTP requests. Socket.IO, on the other hand, is ideal for applications that require real-time interaction, such as chat applications, instant messaging, collaborative editing, and other applications where data needs to be constantly updated between the server and the client.
Scalability and Performance: Apache HTTP Server is known for its scalability and performance, especially when serving static content. It can handle a large number of concurrent connections and is optimized for efficiency. Socket.IO, while efficient in handling real-time communication, may not be as performant as Apache HTTP Server when serving static content due to the overhead of bidirectional, real-time communication.

In Summary, Apache HTTP Server is a traditional web server software used for serving static and dynamic web content, while Socket.IO is a JavaScript library primarily used for real-time bidirectional communication between clients and servers. They differ in terms of implementation, protocols, client support, ease of use, use cases, and scalability/performance.

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Advice on Apache HTTP Server, Socket.IO

Noam

Jul 16, 2020

Needs adviceon

Node.js

ExpressJS

React

We are starting to work on a web-based platform aiming to connect artists (clients) and professional freelancers (service providers). In-app, timeline-based, real-time communication between users (& storing it), file transfers, and push notifications are essential core features. We are considering using Node.js, ExpressJS, React, MongoDB stack with Socket.IO & Apollo, or maybe using Real-Time Database and functionalities of Firebase.

1.15M views1.15M

Comments

Hari

Mar 3, 2020

Needs advice

I was in a situation where I have to configure 40 RHEL servers 20 each for Apache HTTP Server and Tomcat server. My task was to

configure LVM with required logical volumes, format and mount for HTTP and Tomcat servers accordingly.
Install apache and tomcat.
Generate and apply selfsigned certs to http server.
Modify default ports on Tomcat to different ports.
Create users on RHEL for application support team.
other administrative tasks like, start, stop and restart HTTP and Tomcat services.

I have utilized the power of ansible for all these tasks, which made it easy and manageable.

419k views419k

Comments

greg00m

Mar 9, 2020

Needs advice

I am diving into web development, both front and back end. I feel comfortable with administration, scripting and moderate coding in bash, Python and C++, but I am also a Windows fan (i love inner conflict). What are the votes on web servers? IIS is expensive and restrictive (has Windows adoption of open source changed this?) Apache has the history but seems to be at the root of most of my Infosec issues, and I know nothing about nginx (is it too new to rely on?). And no, I don't know what I want to do on the web explicitly, but hosting and data storage (both cloud and tape) are possibilities.
Ready, aim fire!

766k views766k

Comments

Detailed Comparison

Apache HTTP Server	Socket.IO
The Apache HTTP Server is a powerful and flexible HTTP/1.1 compliant web server. Originally designed as a replacement for the NCSA HTTP Server, it has grown to be the most popular web server on the Internet.	It enables real-time bidirectional event-based communication. It works on every platform, browser or device, focusing equally on reliability and speed.
-	Real-time analytics - Push data to clients that gets represented as real-time counters, charts or logs.;Binary streaming - Starting in 1.0, it's possible to send any blob back and forth: image, audio, video.;Instant messaging and chat - Socket.IO's "Hello world" is a chat app in just a few lines of code.;Document collaboration - Allow users to concurrently edit a document and see each other's changes.
Statistics
GitHub Stars 3.8K	GitHub Stars -
GitHub Forks 1.2K	GitHub Forks -
Stacks 64.5K	Stacks 13.6K
Followers 22.8K	Followers 11.0K
Votes 1.4K	Votes 776
Pros & Cons
Pros 479 Web server 305 Most widely-used web server 217 Virtual hosting 148 Fast 138 Ssl support Cons 4 Hard to set up	Pros 219 Real-time 143 Node.js 141 Event-based communication 102 Open source 102 WebSockets Cons 12 Bad documentation 4 Githubs that complement it are mostly deprecated 3 Doesn't work on React Native 2 Websocket Errors 2 Small community
Integrations
No integrations available	Auth0 Gatsby Flutter React Backbone.js Cloud Firestore Outbrain

What are some alternatives to Apache HTTP Server, Socket.IO?

NGINX

nginx [engine x] is an HTTP and reverse proxy server, as well as a mail proxy server, written by Igor Sysoev. According to Netcraft nginx served or proxied 30.46% of the top million busiest sites in Jan 2018.

Firebase

Firebase is a cloud service designed to power real-time, collaborative applications. Simply add the Firebase library to your application to gain access to a shared data structure; any changes you make to that data are automatically synchronized with the Firebase cloud and with other clients within milliseconds.

Unicorn

Unicorn is an HTTP server for Rack applications designed to only serve fast clients on low-latency, high-bandwidth connections and take advantage of features in Unix/Unix-like kernels. Slow clients should only be served by placing a reverse proxy capable of fully buffering both the the request and response in between Unicorn and slow clients.

PubNub

PubNub makes it easy for you to add real-time capabilities to your apps, without worrying about the infrastructure. Build apps that allow your users to engage in real-time across mobile, browser, desktop and server.

Microsoft IIS

Internet Information Services (IIS) for Windows Server is a flexible, secure and manageable Web server for hosting anything on the Web. From media streaming to web applications, IIS's scalable and open architecture is ready to handle the most demanding tasks.

Pusher

Pusher is the category leader in delightful APIs for app developers building communication and collaboration features.

Apache Tomcat

Apache Tomcat powers numerous large-scale, mission-critical web applications across a diverse range of industries and organizations.

Passenger

Phusion Passenger is a web server and application server, designed to be fast, robust and lightweight. It takes a lot of complexity out of deploying web apps, adds powerful enterprise-grade features that are useful in production, and makes administration much easier and less complex.

SignalR

SignalR allows bi-directional communication between server and client. Servers can now push content to connected clients instantly as it becomes available. SignalR supports Web Sockets, and falls back to other compatible techniques for older browsers. SignalR includes APIs for connection management (for instance, connect and disconnect events), grouping connections, and authorization.

Ably

Ably offers WebSockets, stream resume, history, presence, and managed third-party integrations to make it simple to build, extend, and deliver digital realtime experiences at scale.

Related Comparisons

Apache HTTP Server vs Socket.IO: What are the differences?

Introduction

Implementation: Apache HTTP Server is a web server software that is designed to serve HTTP requests, while Socket.IO is a JavaScript library that enables real-time bidirectional communication between clients and servers. While Apache HTTP Server focuses on serving static and dynamic content over the web, Socket.IO is specifically built for real-time applications.
Protocols: Apache HTTP Server primarily uses the HTTP and HTTPS protocols to communicate with clients. It supports various HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc. On the other hand, Socket.IO uses the WebSockets protocol, which allows for full-duplex communication over a single TCP connection. This enables real-time, low-latency data exchange between the client and the server.
Client Support: Apache HTTP Server is designed to work with any web client that can communicate over HTTP or HTTPS protocols, such as web browsers. Socket.IO, on the other hand, requires clients to have JavaScript support as it is a JavaScript library. It can be used with web browsers, but also with Node.js or other JavaScript runtime environments.
Ease of Use: Apache HTTP Server is relatively simple to set up and configure. It comes with a wide range of features and modules that can be enabled or disabled as per the requirements. Socket.IO, on the other hand, requires more configuration and setup, as it involves both server-side and client-side code for real-time communication.
Use Cases: Apache HTTP Server is commonly used for serving static and dynamic web content, hosting websites, and running web applications. It is a reliable choice for handling high volumes of HTTP requests. Socket.IO, on the other hand, is ideal for applications that require real-time interaction, such as chat applications, instant messaging, collaborative editing, and other applications where data needs to be constantly updated between the server and the client.
Scalability and Performance: Apache HTTP Server is known for its scalability and performance, especially when serving static content. It can handle a large number of concurrent connections and is optimized for efficiency. Socket.IO, while efficient in handling real-time communication, may not be as performant as Apache HTTP Server when serving static content due to the overhead of bidirectional, real-time communication.

Apache HTTP Server vs Socket.IO

Overview