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Websockets have become increasingly popular in recent years as a means of facilitating real-time communication between a server and a client. Laravel 8, the latest version of the popular PHP framework, has integrated support for websockets, making it easier than ever to create real-time applications. In this guide, we will explore the ins and outs of using websockets in Laravel 8, including how to set up a websocket server, how to create a websocket client, and how to handle websocket events.
What are Websockets?
Websockets are a bi-directional communication protocol that allows a server to send data to a client and receive data from a client without the need for the client to make a request. This differs from traditional HTTP requests, which require the client to make a request to the server and wait for a response. Websockets are particularly useful for real-time applications, such as chat applications, games, and stock tickers, where data needs to be updated in real-time.
What is Laravel 8?
Laravel is a popular PHP framework that provides a robust set of tools for building web applications. Laravel 8 is the latest version of the framework, released in September 2020. It includes a number of new features and improvements, including support for websockets.
Setting up a Websocket Server in Laravel 8
The first step in using websockets in Laravel 8 is to set up a websocket server. There are a number of websocket server implementations available, including Ratchet and Swoole. In this guide, we will use Ratchet, as it is the most widely used and has excellent documentation.
- Install Ratchet using Composer:
- Create a new class that extends Ratchet’s WebSocketServerInterface:
- Create a new file that will run the websocket server:
composer require cboden/ratchet
namespace App\Websockets;use Ratchet\MessageComponentInterface;use Ratchet\ConnectionInterface;
class MyWebsocketServer implements MessageComponentInterface {public function onOpen(ConnectionInterface $conn) {// Logic when a new client connects}
public function onMessage(ConnectionInterface $from, $msg) {// Logic when a message is received from a client}
public function onClose(ConnectionInterface $conn) {// Logic when a client disconnects}
public function onError(ConnectionInterface $conn, \Exception $e) {// Logic when an error occurs}}
use App\Websockets\MyWebsocketServer;use Ratchet\Http\HttpServer;use Ratchet\Server\IoServer;use Ratchet\WebSocket\WsServer;require __DIR__.'/../vendor/autoload.php';
$server = IoServer::factory(new HttpServer(new WsServer(new MyWebsocketServer())),8080);
$server->run();
Once you have set up your websocket server, you can start it by running the file you created in step 3:
php server.php
Your websocket server is now up and running, and can accept connections from clients.
Creating a Websocket Client in Laravel 8
Now that you have set up your websocket server, you can create a websocket client in Laravel 8. There are a number of websocket client libraries available, including Ratchet and AutobahnJS. In this guide, we will use AutobahnJS, as it has excellent documentation and is easy to use.
- Install AutobahnJS using npm:
- Create a new file that will run the websocket client:
npm install autobahn
import autobahn from 'autobahn';const connection = new autobahn.Connection({url: 'ws://localhost:8080',realm: 'realm1'});
connection.onopen = (session) => {// Logic when the connection is opened};
connection.onclose = (reason, details) => {// Logic when the connection is closed};
connection.open();
Once you have set up your websocket client, you can start it by running the file you created in step 2:
node client.js
Your websocket client is now connected to your websocket server, and can send and receive messages.
Handling Websocket Events in Laravel 8
Now that you have set up your websocket server and client, you can start handling websocket events in Laravel 8. There are a number of events that can be triggered in a websocket application, including onOpen, onMessage, onClose, and onError. In this guide, we will focus on the onMessage event, which is triggered when a message is received from a client.
To handle the onMessage event in Laravel 8, you can create a new listener class that extends Laravel’s EventListener class:
namespace App\Listeners;use Illuminate\Auth\Events\Logout;use Illuminate\Contracts\Queue\ShouldQueue;use Illuminate\Queue\InteractsWithQueue;use Ratchet\MessageComponentInterface;use Ratchet\ConnectionInterface;
class MyWebsocketListener implements MessageComponentInterface {public function onOpen(ConnectionInterface $conn) {// Logic when a new client connects}
public function onMessage(ConnectionInterface $from, $msg) {// Logic when a message is received from a client}
public function onClose(ConnectionInterface $conn) {// Logic when a client disconnects}
public function onError(ConnectionInterface $conn, \Exception $e) {// Logic when an error occurs}}
Once you have created your listener class, you can register it in Laravel’s EventServiceProvider:
namespace App\Providers;use Illuminate\Auth\Events\Logout;use Illuminate\Foundation\Support\Providers\EventServiceProvider as ServiceProvider;use App\Listeners\MyWebsocketListener;
class EventServiceProvider extends ServiceProvider {protected $listen = ['App\Events\Event' => ['App\Listeners\EventListener',],Logout::class => [MyWebsocketListener::class,],];}
Your listener class is now registered, and will handle the onMessage event when it is triggered.
FAQ
What are the benefits of using websockets in Laravel 8?
Using websockets in Laravel 8 allows you to create real-time applications that can update data in real-time, without the need for the client to make a request. This can lead to a better user experience, as data can be updated in real-time without the need for the user to refresh the page.
What websocket server implementations are supported in Laravel 8?
Laravel 8 supports a number of websocket server implementations, including Ratchet and Swoole.
What websocket client libraries are supported in Laravel 8?
Laravel 8 supports a number of websocket client libraries, including Ratchet and AutobahnJS.
What events can be triggered in a websocket application?
A number of events can be triggered in a websocket application, including onOpen, onMessage, onClose, and onError.
What is the best way to handle websocket events in Laravel 8?
The best way to handle websocket events in Laravel 8 is to create a listener class that extends Laravel’s EventListener class, and register it in Laravel’s EventServiceProvider.
