What is the scope of socket.emit()?

Question

We're using Socket.IO for a chat application. Who will receive a message that is sent through socket.emit() ? Over here , it is given like, socket.emit() will send a message only to one client.

Our requirement is achieving one to one communication (between a user and server and not between two users). Currently, we are creating separate rooms for different users and sending messages using io.in(room).emit() . The messages will be sent to everyone in that room and as per our application, a room will have only one user.

Can we achieve the same using socket.emit() by creating a single room and manage to respond to the particular client?

UPDATE:-

For more clarification, here is a scenario.

Five different users opens the chat box and everyone asks a different question to the server. We create five different rooms (one for a user) and respond to the users using io.in(room).emit() .

So, actually what we are doing here is, in the server side, we are identifying the users based on the room in which he is present. Is there a better way here? Heard socket.emit() will only respond to one client and was wondering whether it would ease our problem.

Answer 1

According to your requirement, User sends data to the server only. You use emit event in client side and on event in a server with the same method.

Client

Client emit method

socket.emit('DataClientToServer',{data : 'hello'});

Client on method, get data from server

socket.on('DataServerToClient',function(data){
            console.log(data);
        });

Server

Server on method to get that data and send data to that client only using socket.id

socket.on('DataClientToServer', (data) => {
            console.log(data);
            //Send data to that client only using socket.id
            io.to(socket.id).emit('DataServerToClient',{data : 'Server to Client'});
        });

For Detect which user send data, you send extra data like user unique username or userid or objectid etc.

Not needed room every user.

Hope this help you.