Polling (programming)

≡Description

Polling is a technique used in programming to check the status of an operation at regular intervals. In the context of software development, polling is commonly used to check if there is new data available on a server, such as in web applications that require real-time updates. This technique involves sending periodic requests to the server to obtain updated information, which can result in inefficient resource usage if not managed properly. Polling is used to monitor changes in different contexts, allowing systems or applications to automatically execute tasks when changes are detected. Although polling is effective, it can be less efficient than other techniques such as WebSockets or Server-Sent Events, which allow for more direct and real-time communication between the client and the server. Despite its limitations, polling remains a valuable tool in web application development and process automation, especially in environments where simplicity and compatibility are priorities.

⏱History

The concept of polling has existed since the beginnings of computing, but its use became popularized with the development of web applications in the 1990s. As applications began to require real-time updates, developers adopted polling as a solution to obtain data from the server. Over time, more efficient alternatives have been developed, but polling remains relevant in many contexts.

⚙Uses

Polling is primarily used in web applications to check for data updates, such as in social networks or messaging platforms. It is also applied to detect changes in code repositories and automatically trigger build and test processes.

✎Examples