What Is Long Polling?
Long polling is a technique where a client sends a request and the server keeps it open until new data is available or a timeout elapses, then responds. The client immediately issues another request to wait again. It approximates push behavior over plain HTTP without keeping a constant stream open.
Why it matters
Long polling cuts the wasted requests and latency of fast short polling while staying compatible with ordinary HTTP infrastructure. Queues like SQS use it to let consumers wait efficiently for new messages.
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