What is SignalR?

• SignalR is a library for ASP.NET that enables real-time web functionality. SignalR uses WebSockets to establish persistent connections between the server and the client, if available. If WebSockets are not available, SignalR relies  on other suitable transport protocols such as Server-Sent Events or Long Polling to ensure broad compatibility.
• The foundation of SignalR’s functionality is based on “Hubs,” which are high-level pipeline APIs that enable the server to call methods on connected clients and vice versa. Developers create Hub classes, which contain methods that may be invoked by clients. The client then calls these methods with JavaScript, and SignalR handles the communication details.
• SignalR supports grouping connections, which allows messages to be sent to a specific subset of connected clients. This is useful for scenarios like chat rooms, where only certain users should receive specific messages.
• SignalR controls connection lifecycles and automatically handles reconnections when a connection is lost. This ensures that the server and clients communicate reliably without forcing the developer to do anything extra.
• The server can automatically push updates to clients using the technique provided by SignalR. Because of this, clients may communicate in real-time more effectively and the server burden is decreased without having to query the server for updates.

SignalR is a library for ASP.NET that enables real-time web functionality, allowing servers to push updates to clients instantly, enhancing efficiency and responsiveness in applications. It’s useful for instant updates in chat apps, live dashboards, and collaborative tools by simplifying communication and supporting various transport protocols. Real-time communication boosts user engagement, reduces resource-intensive polling, and is essential for interactive applications like online gaming and financial trading platforms, providing seamless and dynamic user experiences.

This article will show you how to build a real-time chat application with .Net Core 7 and SignalR.