# Introduction Singular REST API calls are sent over the public internet, which takes about a second depending on how they are routed, and works well in most situations. However, when you need to send data quickly, Singular also offers the data stream API. The data stream API sends data to compositions through a direct web socket connection so they are stable and low latency (below 300 ms). Use data streams for any situation that requires updating data at 1 Hz or faster, from hockey and basketball clocks to sub-second penalty clocks, race car telemetry, the geo-location of planes, in-game e-sports statistics, and more. ### Understanding data streams Data streams are set up on the Dashboard and updated with the data stream API. Payloads sent to data streams persist until new payloads arrive. Clients connecting to a data stream immediately receive the latest payload. The data streams backend includes a UTC timestamp to payloads. The client can use the timecode to calculate the latency and evaluate the age of the payload. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://developer.singular.live/data-stream-api/introduction.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.