How Do Webhooks Work ⭐

Webhooks are a communication pattern that allows systems to send real-time notifications when specific events occur. Unlike polling, which repeatedly checks for updates, webhooks push data immediately via HTTP POST requests to registered endpoints. The pattern consists of three components: sender (event source), event (the action), and receiver (notification target). Implementation requires security measures like signature verification, retry mechanisms with exponential backoff for failed deliveries, and idempotency to prevent duplicate actions. Webhooks provide an efficient alternative to websockets for event-driven communication without the complexity of connection management.