title: swift HTTP Requests
body: <p>I have created an instant messenger chat application where by messages are posted to my server via a php service and stored in a mysql backed.</p>
  
  <p>If a user has their 'inbox' page open and a new message is received I would need to update the table to show any new messages. The way I am doing this at the moment is by sending an http request to the server every 5 seconds. </p>
  
  <p>As you can imagine this is pretty inefficient. What methods are available which would be more suitable and less resource heavy?</p>
  
  <p>I have looked at keep alive connections and web sockets but Im not sure which direction I should be going in?</p>
  
  <p>any help much appreciated!</p>