HTML Server, client.stop

Projects Programming
1

I am relatively new to programming the arduino. I am currently working with turning the arduino into a webserver. In the process I have been studying the example code entitled Ethernet Shield WebServer, found here https://docs.arduino.cc/tutorials/ethernet-shield-rev2/WebServer.

It looks like every time the arduino loops through the code the client is disconnect, ie client.stop(). When I checked the serial output on my board the client would be connected and disconnected as my laptop was acting as the client, ie displaying the webpage.

I am I getting this right? If so why does the client need to constantly connected and disconnect?

2

the client.stop() is sent when you exit from the while (client.connected()), that is when you have received the full request and provided the answer

3

Can I "hold off" on the client.stop()? Tie it to when the client disconnects?

4

that's what happens. you send the stop only when client.connected() said false

    while (client.connected()) {
      // handle the request 
    }
    // now client is no longer connected
    // give the web browser time to receive the data
    delay(1);
    // close the connection:
    client.stop();
5

because it is much simpler than managing connections which are keep alive.

6

If I want to do other things with my board then just be a webserver, control lights, motors, etc; can I replace the while loop with if statements?

7

once you've dealt with a client request you can do other stuff, sure