node.js socket.io How to emit to a particular client?

Question

I want to "emit" a message to a particular client which is selected based on another message received in a different client, How do I do this?

I am thinking of joining each client to their own "room" and then broadcast. Is there a better way?

Answer 1

UPDATE for socket.io version 1.0 and above

io.to(socketid).emit('message', 'whatever'); 

For older version:

You can store each client in an object as a property. Then you can lookup the socket based on the message:

var basket = {};  io.sockets.on('connection', function (socket) {   socket.on("register", function(data) {     basket[data.nickname] = socket.id;   });   socket.on("privmessage", function(data){     var to = basket[data.to];     io.sockets.socket(to).emit(data.msg);   }); }); 

Not tested...but it should give you an idea

Answer 2

For socket.io version 1.0 use:

io.to(socketid).emit('message', 'whatever');