title: What is the difference between an array and an ArrayBuffer?
body: <p>I'm just wondering why everyone uses <code>ArrayBuffer</code> instead of just a normal <code>array</code>, <code>string</code> or stringified <code>JSON</code> for sending messages from the server to the client. Is it more efficient?</p>
  
  <p>Also, just wondering what <code>Uint8Array</code> is, how it is different, where to use the two etc.</p>
  
  <p>I am currently using Node.js with Socket.io, but I am happy to change to pure <code>WebSocket</code>s if it is a better approach.</p>