Check if client is alive

Question

I am having client/server application and i want to detect if client is alive.

So i know that send() will return me null but it will not inform my server that client has been disconnected.

Way i came up is each N seconds send "Are you alive" message from server to client but is that good solution?

This is called a keepalive. Have you observed any problems with using this approach? — DMGregory, Commented Jan 14, 2019 at 4:39
No and i am doing it like that but somewhere i read it is not good idea to do it like that so wanted to ask what is other solution — Aleksa Ristic, Commented Jan 14, 2019 at 11:11
Who said it was not good, and why? We can solve a problem better if we know what problem it is we're solving. — DMGregory, Commented Jan 14, 2019 at 12:42

Kromster · Accepted Answer · 2019-10-02 04:32:21Z

3

This is a good solution, since it allows both sides to know that their partner is alive.

Call it "keepalive" or "hearbeat".

Added benefit, when done frequently (1/sec) you can monitor lag / ping.

answered Jan 14, 2019 at 11:53

Kromster

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\$\begingroup\$ Another benefit is when you try to send a heartbeat message to the "dead" client it will cause a SocketError on your end, forcing it to close. Otherwise, it may hang for a very long time. \$\endgroup\$
– badunius
Commented Oct 2, 2019 at 7:05

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