TRADEOFF BATTLE
SSE vs WebSocket for a live operations dashboard
A support dashboard needs live status updates, but most user actions are still normal HTTP writes. Which transport would you defend in an interview?
The prompt
You are designing a browser-based operations dashboard for support agents. They watch order status changes, fraud flags, and queue counts in near real time. Most user actions are still normal HTTP requests such as approve, refund, escalate, and add notes. The interviewer asks whether you would use Server-Sent Events or WebSockets for the live update channel.
Which transport would you defend for this prompt, and how would you explain when the other choice becomes the better answer?
Pick the direction you would defend
You are not looking for the universal winner. You are picking the strongest answer for this prompt.
Commit to a direction
Pick the option you would defend, then reveal the stronger interview framing for this prompt.