HTTPcallbacks

HTTP callbacks, also known as webhooks, are a mechanism for allowing one application to send real-time data to another application automatically over HTTP. Instead of one application periodically polling another for updates, the source application can notify the destination application as soon as an event occurs. This is achieved by having the source application make an HTTP request (typically a POST request) to a predefined URL (the callback URL or webhook endpoint) provided by the destination application. The request's body contains information about the event that triggered the callback.

This event-driven approach is significantly more efficient than polling, as it reduces unnecessary network traffic and processing load on both systems. For example, a payment gateway might use HTTP callbacks to notify an e-commerce platform when a transaction is completed, or a social media service might use them to alert a third-party application about new posts. The destination application must be configured to listen for these incoming HTTP requests at its specified endpoint and process the data accordingly. Security is a crucial consideration, often implemented through shared secrets or signature verification to ensure the incoming requests are legitimate.