Why should every Web Developer need to know about WebRTC?

Most users love web applications that facilitate real-time communication (RTC). Normally, RTC occurs almost instantaneously, with minimal latency, and without transmission delays. The web applications can take advantage of RTC to enable users to access services and share information without any interruptions or delay. But they need to combine application programming interfaces (APIs) and communication protocols to facilitate real-time communication between devices and browsers.

As a HTML5 specification, Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) enables developers to facilitate peer-to-peer and direct communication between two browsers. A web developer can take advantage of the communication protocols and APIs provided by WebRTC to make two web browsers communicate and exchange data without using additional plugins. They can even use WebRTC to facilitate video chat, video calling, and peer-to-peer file sharing between web browsers without using additional plug-ins.

Features that Make WebRTC Useful for Each Modern Web Developer

Facilitate Peer-to-Peer Communication

A web developer can use WebRTC to facilitate peer-to-peer communication between two browsers without putting extra time and effort. He can even use the HTML5 specification to facilitate audio, video, or data communication between two browsers. Also, he can use WebRTC to make web applications deliver richer user experience by facilitating video chats, video calling, and peer-to-peer file sharing.

Reduce Bandwidth Consumption and Latency

WebRTC helps developers to reduce bandwidth consumption by facilitating peer-to-peer communication between browsers. At the same time, the peer-to-peer communication also minimizes latency when users share or exchange files. The web developer can take advantage of WebRTC Data Channel to enable users to transfer files directly without requiring any server or infrastructure.

No Need to Use Additional Plugins

Often a web developer has to rely on third-party tools and plug-ins — Java applets, Flash or Silverlight — to facilitate real-time communication between two web browsers. These third-party plugins impact the web application’s user experience directly and adversely. WebRTC enables developers to facilitate audio, video, and data communication between two browsers without using any plugin. Hence, it becomes easier for developers to simplify browser communication and improve user experience.

Embed Audio and Video Communication

A web developer can take advantage of the functions defined by WebRTC to easily embed audio and video communication to web applications. For instance, he can use specific functions to make the application code request the media, establish encrypted peer-to-peer communication between devices, and deliver the media to the recipient. The developer can even use functions to make the devices or browsers exchange files without routing requests and responses through a web server.

Accelerate Data Transfer and File Sharing

The WebRTC Data Channel API enables a web developer to make two devices communicate and exchange data instantaneously and directly. It makes two web browsers connect and communicate with each other without any intermediary. Also, the WebRTC Data Channel does not require users to upload files to the server or cloud-based service to speed up data transmission.

Hence, the web developer can take advantage of WebRTC Data Channel to facilitate large file sharing and facilitate real-time communication. The channel also makes it easier for developers to build applications that can operate/control internet-connected devices like security cameras and drones remotely.

Secure Data Transmission

In addition to accelerating data transfer, WebRTC also keeps the data secure throughout the transmission process. All WebRTC components remain in encrypted format, whereas the JavaScript APIs are accessed from HTTPS, localhost, or similar locations. At the same time, a web developer also has option to improve data security by using more secure protocols and signaling mechanism.

Supported by Browsers and Mobile Devices

At present, widely used web browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge supports WebRTC. Apple is reportedly planning to make Safari support WebRTC in near future. Hence, a web developer can embed audio and video communication to a web application through the HTML5 specification without worrying about users’ web browsers. At the same time, WebRTC can also be embedded into various mobile applications and embedded environments seamlessly. It even uses APIs to make the mobile browser access the camera and microphone of the underlying device.

Open Source and Free

A web developer can use WebRTC to perform multiple tasks in addition to facilitating real-time audio and video communication. But he can use WebRTC as an open source and free project. He can even use the open source project for both commercial and private use without incurring additional expenses. However, the developer can still use WebRTC as a solid, evolving, and futuristic technology. At the same time, WebRTC also helps developers to curtail development cost by avoiding commercial plug-ins and tools.

On the whole, WebRTC helps web application developers to make two web browsers communicate and exchange data directly and quickly without using additional plug-ins. A web developer can take advantage of the HTML5 specification to facilitate real-time communication between various web applications. Also, WebRTC helps programmers to add real-time communication feature to web applications without increasing project overheads.