Install Socket.io-Client in Node.js - Quick Guide

Socket.io-client is a JavaScript library for real-time communication between clients and servers. It works seamlessly with the Socket.io server.

Prerequisites

Before installing socket.io-client, ensure you have:

• Node.js installed on your system.
• npm (Node Package Manager) or yarn.
• A basic understanding of JavaScript.

If you need help setting up Node.js, check our guide on Install Socket.io in Node.js.

Install Socket.io-Client

To install socket.io-client, open your terminal and run:

 
npm install socket.io-client

+ socket.io-client@4.7.2
added 1 package in 2.3s

This command installs the latest version of socket.io-client in your project.

Basic Usage Example

Here’s how to use socket.io-client in a Node.js application:

 
// Import the socket.io-client module
const io = require('socket.io-client');

// Connect to a Socket.io server
const socket = io('http://localhost:3000');

// Listen for connection event
socket.on('connect', () => {
    console.log('Connected to server!');
});

// Send a message to the server
socket.emit('message', 'Hello from client!');

// Listen for a response
socket.on('response', (data) => {
    console.log('Server says:', data);
});

Connected to server!
Server says: Hello back from server!

Advanced Configuration

You can customize the connection with options:

 
const socket = io('http://localhost:3000', {
    reconnection: true,
    reconnectionAttempts: 5,
    transports: ['websocket']
});

This ensures the client tries to reconnect if the connection drops.

Troubleshooting

If you face issues, ensure:

• The server is running and accessible.
• You’re using compatible versions of socket.io and socket.io-client.
• There are no network restrictions.

For TypeScript users, check our guide on Install TypeScript in Node.js.

Conclusion

Installing socket.io-client in Node.js is simple. It enables real-time communication between clients and servers. Follow the steps above to get started.

For more Node.js guides, see our tutorial on Install Jest in Node.js.