Tournament Bracket/match Refactor Realtime Server Sent Events -> Websocket (Skalop)

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Tournament Bracket/Match Refactor: Realtime Server Sent Events to WebSockets (Skalop)

Introduction

In the world of online tournaments and match scheduling, real-time updates are crucial for a seamless user experience. The current implementation of Server-Sent Events (SSE) on sendou.ink's main server has been serving the purpose, but it's time to refactor the logic to WebSockets, which will not only unify the codebase but also reduce the load on the main server. In this article, we'll delve into the details of this refactor, exploring the benefits and the implementation process.

Current Implementation: Server-Sent Events (SSE)

Server-Sent Events (SSE) is a technology that allows a server to push updates to connected clients. In the context of sendou.ink, SSE is used to update the tournament bracket and match information in real-time. The current implementation is handled in the chat-hooks.ts file, where SSE is used to push updates to the client-side application.

// chat-hooks.ts
import { Server } from 'http';

const server = new Server();

server.on('connection', (socket) => {
  // Handle incoming connections
  socket.on('message', (message) => {
    // Handle incoming messages
  });

  // Push updates to connected clients using SSE
  socket.write(`data: ${JSON.stringify({ type: 'update', data: { tournament: 'new' } })}\n\n`);
});

While SSE has been effective in providing real-time updates, it has its limitations. SSE is a unidirectional communication protocol, meaning that the server can only push updates to the client, but the client cannot send updates back to the server. This limitation can lead to increased latency and reduced performance.

Refactoring to WebSockets

WebSockets is a bi-directional communication protocol that allows both the server and client to send and receive messages in real-time. By refactoring the current SSE implementation to WebSockets, we can achieve several benefits, including:

  • Bi-directional communication: WebSockets enable both the server and client to send and receive messages, reducing latency and improving performance.
  • Unified logic: By using WebSockets, we can unify the logic across the application, reducing code duplication and improving maintainability.
  • Reduced load on the main server: WebSockets allow for more efficient communication, reducing the load on the main server and improving overall performance.

To implement WebSockets, we'll use the ws library, which provides a simple and efficient way to establish WebSocket connections.

// chat-hooks.ts
import { WebSocketServer } from 'ws';

const wss = new WebSocketServer({ port: 8080 });

wss.on('connection', (ws) => {
  // Handle incoming connections
  ws.on('message', (message) => {
    // Handle incoming messages
  });

  // Push updates to connected clients using WebSockets
  ws.send(JSON.stringify({ type: 'update', data: { tournament: 'new' } }));
});

Implementing WebSockets on the Client-Side

To establish a WebSocket connection with the server, we'll use the ws library on the client-side. We'll create a WebSocket instance and establish a connection with the server.

// client.js
import { WebSocket } from 'ws';

const ws = new WebSocket('ws://localhost:8080');

ws.onmessage = (event) => {
  // Handle incoming messages from the server
  console.log(event.data);
};

ws.onopen = () => {
  // Handle connection establishment
  console.log('Connected to the server');
};

ws.onclose = () => {
  // Handle connection closure
  console.log('Disconnected from the server');
};

Bonus Feature: Jingle Play on Match Ready

As a bonus feature, we can implement a jingle play when a match is ready, similar to Battlefy. We'll use the howler library to play a sound effect when a match is ready.

// client.js
import { Howl } from 'howler';

const sound = new Howl({
  src: ['match-ready.mp3'],
  autoplay: false,
  loop: false,
  volume: 1,
});

// Play sound effect when a match is ready
sound.play();

Conclusion

In this article, we've refactored the tournament bracket/match logic from Server-Sent Events (SSE) to WebSockets, achieving several benefits, including bi-directional communication, unified logic, and reduced load on the main server. We've also implemented a bonus feature, jingle play on match ready, using the howler library. By following this refactor, we can improve the overall performance and user experience of sendou.ink's tournament bracket/match feature.

Future Work

In the future, we can explore additional features, such as:

  • Real-time match updates: Implement real-time match updates using WebSockets, allowing users to see the latest match scores and updates.
  • Tournament bracket visualization: Create a visual representation of the tournament bracket, making it easier for users to navigate and understand the match schedule.
  • User notifications: Implement user notifications for match reminders, updates, and other important events.

By continuing to improve and refine the tournament bracket/match feature, we can provide an exceptional user experience for sendou.ink's users.
Tournament Bracket/Match Refactor: Realtime Server Sent Events to WebSockets (Skalop) - Q&A

Introduction

In our previous article, we refactored the tournament bracket/match logic from Server-Sent Events (SSE) to WebSockets, achieving several benefits, including bi-directional communication, unified logic, and reduced load on the main server. We also implemented a bonus feature, jingle play on match ready, using the howler library. In this Q&A article, we'll address some of the most frequently asked questions about this refactor.

Q: What are the benefits of refactoring from SSE to WebSockets?

A: The benefits of refactoring from SSE to WebSockets include:

  • Bi-directional communication: WebSockets enable both the server and client to send and receive messages, reducing latency and improving performance.
  • Unified logic: By using WebSockets, we can unify the logic across the application, reducing code duplication and improving maintainability.
  • Reduced load on the main server: WebSockets allow for more efficient communication, reducing the load on the main server and improving overall performance.

Q: How do WebSockets improve performance compared to SSE?

A: WebSockets improve performance compared to SSE in several ways:

  • Bi-directional communication: WebSockets enable both the server and client to send and receive messages, reducing latency and improving performance.
  • Efficient message passing: WebSockets use a more efficient message passing mechanism, reducing the overhead of sending and receiving messages.
  • Reduced connection overhead: WebSockets reduce the connection overhead, allowing for faster connection establishment and tear-down.

Q: How do I implement WebSockets on the client-side?

A: To implement WebSockets on the client-side, you'll need to:

  • Establish a WebSocket connection: Use the ws library to establish a WebSocket connection with the server.
  • Handle incoming messages: Use the onmessage event to handle incoming messages from the server.
  • Send messages to the server: Use the send method to send messages to the server.

Q: How do I implement the jingle play on match ready feature?

A: To implement the jingle play on match ready feature, you'll need to:

  • Use the howler library: Use the howler library to play a sound effect when a match is ready.
  • Play the sound effect: Use the play method to play the sound effect when a match is ready.

Q: What are some potential issues with refactoring from SSE to WebSockets?

A: Some potential issues with refactoring from SSE to WebSockets include:

  • Compatibility issues: WebSockets may not be compatible with older browsers or devices.
  • Security concerns: WebSockets may introduce security concerns, such as the risk of unauthorized access to the server.
  • Performance issues: WebSockets may introduce performance issues, such as increased latency or reduced performance.

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with WebSockets?

A: To troubleshoot issues with WebSockets, you can:

  • Use the browser console: Use the browser console to inspect the WebSocket connection and identify any issues.
  • Use the ws library: Use the ws library to debug and troubleshoot WebSocket connections.
  • Consult the documentation: Consult the documentation for the ws library and the WebSocket protocol to resolve any issues.

Conclusion

In this Q&A article, we've addressed some of the most frequently asked questions about refactoring the tournament bracket/match logic from Server-Sent Events (SSE) to WebSockets. We've covered the benefits of refactoring, how to implement WebSockets on the client-side, and how to troubleshoot issues with WebSockets. By following this guide, you can improve the performance and user experience of your tournament bracket/match feature.

Future Work

In the future, we can explore additional features, such as:

  • Real-time match updates: Implement real-time match updates using WebSockets, allowing users to see the latest match scores and updates.
  • Tournament bracket visualization: Create a visual representation of the tournament bracket, making it easier for users to navigate and understand the match schedule.
  • User notifications: Implement user notifications for match reminders, updates, and other important events.

By continuing to improve and refine the tournament bracket/match feature, we can provide an exceptional user experience for sendou.ink's users.