AI engineering glossary · Web APIs HTTP
What is long polling?
Long polling: A variant of polling where the server holds the request open until new data is available or a timeout expires, then replies, and the client immediately asks again. It gives near-real-time updates using ordinary HTTP.
Long polling: an example
A chat client sends a request that the server answers only when a new message arrives, then reconnects.
Related terms
More Web APIs HTTP terms
Where you learn it
Long polling is part of the AI Engineering Program, which teaches it with notes, a hands-on lab and an exam. The first lesson is free.