A Hybrid WebSocket-REST Approach for Scalable Real-Time API Design`
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63282/3050-9246.IJETCSIT-V2I3P107Keywords:
WebSocket, REST API, Real-Time Communication, Scalability, Hybrid Architecture, Client-Server Model, Low Latency, API DesignAbstract
The rapid increase of real-time web applications and scalable systems during recent years demands sturdy architectural systems that enable effective data exchange. Representational State Transfer APIs operate traditionally through stateless communication methods that are widely adopted thanks to their basic design and compatibility features. The real-time bidirectional communication capabilities of REST APIs come short when several applications, such as chat systems, multiplayer games, and financial trading platforms, require efficient functionality. WebSockets conduct real-time data exchanges through full-duplex communication across a single TCP connection, although they necessitate higher complexities during deployment and when expanding system capacity. A new architectural design unites WebSocket and REST capabilities for building web APIs, which provide scalability and real-time functionality. The hybrid design architectural model implements REST throughout initial state retrieval and client control tasks and then utilizes WebSocket functions for live time communications, status synchronization, and event dissemination. The proposed architecture performance analysis under different test loads shows results against implementations that use pure WebSocket and REST interfaces. Experimental studies show that implementing hybrid technology results in substantial enhancements of latency combined with improved throughputs and lowered server resource consumption, especially within highly concurrent systems. The architecture evaluation takes place through testing on an e-commerce simulation platform, which shows its effectiveness in meeting concrete business needs. Security implications alongside fault tolerance and scalability enhancements form the main topics of this research paper. A combination of WebSocket and REST architecture creates a feasible platform that substantially benefits modern applications needing real-time capabilities without compromising scalability
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