Want to implement web sockets in Laravel

Question

I want to implement web notifications in Laravel using web sockets. I have tried pusher. It is very easy but it is a paid package. I have also tried redis and socket.io for which I have to install horizon. I am running Windows and I cannot install it on Windows according to what I have read about horizon.

So I am very confused about push notification. I am trying for at least one week but haven't found any solution yet. My front end is in angluar 5/android and backend is in Laravel 5.6.

Can you please suggest me any good ideas to implement push notification?

Answer 1

Take a look at this article. It covers implementing websocket in laravel using redis driver, Laravel echo and socket.io client.

According to above article:

“Why don’t you just use Pusher?”

Here is the thing.

Laravel comes with Pusher enabled. Even though Pusher seems like a quick “Plug and play” solution (which it is), it comes with limitations. Check https://pusher.com/pricing

And most of the tutorials trick you with their title of implementing Websockets when in reality they just want to give you Pusher. (And my favorite part is when they say that you can easily switch to socket.io)

Answer 2

You have been use pusher,so I assume you know how to use event.

I recommend you laravel-echo-server.It's very easy to use,with a built-in api.

Here is a fresh example of a laravel-echo project from scratch. After you set up the project.

you will need predis if you haven't install it yet

composer require predis/predis
redis-server /usr/local/etc/redis.conf

1. run npm install -g laravel-echo-server
2. run laravel-echo-server init
3. uncomment App\Providers\BroadcastServiceProvider::class in config/app.php
4. add <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/[email protected]/dist/socket.io.js"></script> in your app.blade.php
5. you need a socketio-client ,you can run npm install --save laravel-echo .In case you are not familiar with npm or vue, you can simply include this compiled file from my github project.compiledjs

6. add this to app.blade.php

   <script>
   window.Echo = new Echo({
   broadcaster: 'socket.io',
   
   host: '{{url('/').':6001'}}',
   });
   Echo.private(`App.User.{{Auth::id()}}`) // private channel
   .listen('NewMessage', (e) => {
       console.log(e)
   
   });
   
   
   </script>
   

7. finally run laravel-echo-server start and open you project ,you will see

   [20:53:21] - Lv5OKDAcuSLsK1nBAAAE authenticated for: private- 
      App.User.1
   [20:53:21] - Lv5OKDAcuSLsK1nBAAAE joined channel: private-App.User.1
   

8. you can listen any event you want or other notifications

9. here is my github project echo-example

add a little code so that you can use postman send message to specfic user.You can see the message from chrome console.You can get more details from github project screenshots

Answer 3

As per laravel documentation, I will recommend using Pusher. I have created a package for to user WebSockets in laravel.

https://www.techzonemind.com/scalable-websocket-server-laravel-applications/

It will use Redis for background queuing to optimize performance. I have used it in few solutions. I may not be usable in all use cases. But good to have a look.

PHP not build to execute concurrent tasks, if you have a choice, nodejs will be a better solution,

Answer 4

THE BEST WAY TO INTEGRATE REALTIME IN LARAVEL IS NIETHER NODE NOR PUSHER

You find Pusher Easier and you don't want to pay the price . Then without hesitation you should try Laravel Websockets . Its a very simple Pusher Replacement .

In Short You use the pusher client libs to access a pusher like server that is hosted in your php server . Since its open source its free . Its better than using socket.io or redis because they require you to pay additional server costs . You can check their demo app here

PS

If you want more custom controls then you can use ratchet