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websocketbitcoinblockchain

How to keep Websocket API session alive


I'm trying to keep subscribed to blockchain.info websocket api for new blocks. I basically took the code off http://www.websocket.org/echo.html and plugged in blockchain.info parameters. It works, but I'm finding that after a while it will automatically disconnect. How do I keep the session alive?

<!DOCTYPE html>

<meta charset="utf-8" />

<title>WebSocket Test</title>

<script language="javascript" type="text/javascript">

  var wsUri = "wss://ws.blockchain.info/inv";
  var output;

  function init()
  {
    output = document.getElementById("output");
    testWebSocket();
  }



  function testWebSocket()
  {
    websocket = new WebSocket(wsUri);
    websocket.onopen = function(evt) { onOpen(evt) };
    websocket.onclose = function(evt) { onClose(evt) };
    websocket.onmessage = function(evt) { onMessage(evt) };
    websocket.onerror = function(evt) { onError(evt) };
  }

  function onOpen(evt)
  {
    writeToScreen("CONNECTED");
    doSend("{\"op\":\"blocks_sub\"}");
  }

  function onClose(evt)
  {
    writeToScreen("DISCONNECTED");
  }

  function onMessage(evt)
  {
    writeToScreen('<span style="color: blue;">RESPONSE: ' + evt.data+'</span>');
    //websocket.close();
  }

  function onError(evt)
  {
    writeToScreen('<span style="color: red;">ERROR:</span> ' + evt.data);
  }

  function doSend(message)
  {
    writeToScreen("SENT: " + message); 
    websocket.send(message);
  }

  function writeToScreen(message)
  {
    var pre = document.createElement("p");
    pre.style.wordWrap = "break-word";
    pre.innerHTML = message;
    output.appendChild(pre);
  }


  window.addEventListener("load", init, false);

</script>

<h2>WebSocket Test</h2>

<div id="output"></div> 

Solution

  • I just tested this, and it seems to work:

    <script src="//cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.0.3/jquery.min.js"></script>
    
    <script>
    
    $(document).ready
    (
        function(){
    
            initWebSocket();
        }
    );
    </script>
    
    <script language="javascript" type="text/javascript">
    
    function initWebSocket()
    {
        //  init blockchain websocket (activity, blocks)
        var blockchain = new WebSocket('ws://ws.blockchain.info:8335/inv');
    
        blockchain.onerror = function (error){ console.log('connection.onerror',error); };
    
        blockchain.onopen = function () 
        {
            blockchain.send( JSON.stringify( {"op":"unconfirmed_sub"} ) );  //  subscribe to uncofirmed activity
        };
    
        blockchain.onmessage = function (message) 
        {
            var response = JSON.parse(message.data);
    
            var date = new Date(0);
            date.setUTCSeconds( response.x.time );
    
            if( response.op == "utx")
            {
                var amount = 0;
    
                for(var i=0;i<response.x.out.length;i++) 
                    amount += response.x.out[i].value;
    
                //  amount is in satoshi
                //  1 BTC = 100,000,000 Satoshi (https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/activity)
                response.amount = amount / 100000000;
            }
    
    
                console.log( response.op, response );
    
    
    
        };
    }
    

    Largely taken from here: http://bl.ocks.org/npedrini/6030317