Question: I have a project to create a messaging system for iOS, Android, web browser as the client. What kind of protocol can i use? I have read about the HTTP and Socket programming. Some solution that come up:

1. GET/POST HTTP
2. Socket

If we have the socket programming, how can we arrange the socket connection with the load balancing?

Any idea which one can I apply or other protocol?

Thanks

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My first plan is to create something like a usual chatting app we know nowadays, but integrated with some other functions in the current system. Which one should I use?

Answer: 
I strongly recommend that you use an established protocol, IRC. For a general overview of IRC see <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Relay_Chat>

Read about one Android library implementation at [IRC library for Android (From 2.3.3 to 4.0.3 )?](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/11131853/irc-library-for-android-from-2-3-3-to-4-0-3)

This could go a long way towards solving your problem. Mainly though, "don't reinvent the wheel" as the saying goes.
You can check SignalR to use on the Website part. This will allow you to create real time connections. It uses WebSockets:

<http://signalr.net/>