What is the best practice for updating user data in real-time without using AJAX in PHP?

The best practice for updating user data in real-time without using AJAX in PHP is to utilize WebSockets. WebSockets allow for bi-directional communication between the client and server, enabling real-time updates without the need for constant polling or refreshing the page.

// PHP code utilizing WebSockets for real-time updates

// Create a WebSocket server
$server = new \WebSocket\Client('ws://localhost:8000');

// Send updated user data to the WebSocket server
$userData = ['id' => 1, 'name' => 'John Doe', 'email' => 'john.doe@example.com'];
$server->send(json_encode($userData));

// Close the WebSocket connection
$server->close();