What are some alternative technologies that can be used in conjunction with PHP for online chat functionality?

One alternative technology that can be used in conjunction with PHP for online chat functionality is WebSocket. WebSocket allows for real-time, two-way communication between a client and server, making it ideal for chat applications. By integrating WebSocket with PHP, you can create a more responsive and interactive chat experience for users.

// PHP code snippet using WebSocket for online chat functionality

// Create a WebSocket server
$server = new WebSocket\Server('0.0.0.0', 8000);

// Set up event handlers for incoming messages
$server->on('message', function($client, $message) use ($server) {
    // Handle incoming message and send response
    $response = handleMessage($message);
    $server->send($client, $response);
});

// Start the WebSocket server
$server->run();