How to Get Started with Socio: A Real-Time WebSocket Communication Framework

Apr 21, 2023 | Programming

Welcome to the exciting world of Socio, a robust WebSocket Real-Time Communication (RTC) API framework that enables seamless interaction between your frontend and backend applications. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting, Socio makes implementing real-time features a breeze. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the installation process, provide detailed explanations of the code used in Socio, and offer troubleshooting tips to ensure a smooth journey.

What is Socio?

Socio acts like a middleman between your database and browser clients. It allows you to execute SQL commands directly in your frontend code while ensuring that changes are reflected across all connected clients in real-time. Think of Socio as a high-speed highway for your data, where vehicles (data requests) can move freely and efficiently between the server and clients.

Before diving into the installation, let’s visualize how Socio operates. Imagine your database is a library, the SocioServer is a librarian, and the SocioClient is a visitor seeking information. The librarian (SocioServer) not only retrieves books (data) but also ensures that any updates to the library (database) are communicated to the visitor (SocioClient) immediately, regardless of where they’re standing.

Installation

To start using Socio, you’ll need to install it in your project’s root directory. Here’s how:

  • Open your terminal and navigate to your project’s root directory.
  • Run the following command:
  • npm i socio
  • This command will install the compiled JS files and TypeScript type definition files needed to get started!

Connecting Backend and Frontend

Socio simplifies the connectivity between your backend and frontend. Here’s a basic overview of how to set it up on both ends:

Backend Setup (Server Side)

In your server-side code, you will use TypeScript to manage queries and establish a WebSocket server. Below is a conceptual representation of the code:

import SocioServer from socio/dist/core-server;
import SocioSecurity from socio/dist/secure;

async function QueryWrap(client: SocioSession, id: id, sql: string, params: any): Promise {
    // Handle SQL execution
    // Don't forget to sanitize dynamic parameters!
}

const socsec = new SocioSecurity({
    secure_private_key: 'your_private_key',
    logging: {verbose: true}
});

const socserv = new SocioServer({
    port: 3000,
    db: Query: QueryWrap,
    socio_security: socsec,
    logging: {verbose: true}
});


Frontend Setup (Client Side)

On the client side, you’ll create a connection to your SocioServer and start subscribing to data. Here’s what your client-side code would look like:

import SocioClient from socio/dist/core-client;
import socio from socio/dist/utils;

const sc = new SocioClient({
    ws: 'localhost:3000',
    logging: {verbose: true},
    name: 'Main'
});

await sc.ready(); // Establish the connection

const sub_id = sc.Subscribe(
    socio`SELECT * FROM Users;`,
    (res: object) => {
        // Handle the response here
    }
);

await sc.Query(
    socio`INSERT INTO Users (name, num) VALUES(:name, :num);`,
    {name: 'bob', num: 42}
);

Ensuring Data Security

When working with SQL, it’s crucial to consider safety against injections. Socio leverages the AES-256-GCM encryption algorithm, providing confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity. While Socio does its part, make sure your dynamic data is sanitized server-side as usual.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues while working with Socio, here are a few troubleshooting tips:

  • Ensure you have Node.js version 16 LTS installed, as it’s required for Socio to function.
  • Check your WebSocket connections to confirm they are properly established; use tools like the browser console to inspect network activity.
  • If you’re unable to see real-time updates, verify that your subscriptions are set correctly and that you’re listening to the right events.
  • For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

Conclusion

Socio provides a powerful framework for real-time data communication that can greatly enhance your web applications. Its innovative use of WebSocket technology ensures efficient data transfer and synchronizes information seamlessly between clients.

At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.

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