CppAwait

CppAwait is a C++ library that enables writing asynchronous code in a natural (sequential) form.

It solves the code flow inversion typical of asynchronous APIs. So -- instead of chaining callbacks, dealing with state and error codes -- you can use plain conditionals, loops and exception handlers to express your asynchronous algorithm.

The goal: make it easier to write responsive applications that have to deal with laggy network & file I/O.

How it works

CppAwait provides an await construct similar to the one from C# 5 (see MSDN). Upon reaching an await expression the C# compiler automatically transforms the rest of the method into a task continuation. In C++ a similar effect can be achieved through coroutines (which CppAwait implements on top of Boost.Context). Calling await() will suspend a coroutine until the associated task completes. The program is free to do other work while coroutine is suspended.

Your program needs a run loop to manage asynchronous operations.

Here is a snippet showing typical library use. It connects and transfers some data to a TCP server:

ut::Awaitable awt;

tcp::resolver::iterator outEndpoints;
awt = ut::asio::asyncResolve(resolver, query, outEndpoints);
awt.await();

for (auto it = outEndpoints; it != tcp::resolver::iterator(); ++it) {
    tcp::endpoint ep = *it;
    awt = ut::asio::asyncConnect(socket, ep);

    try {
        awt.await();
        break; // connected
    } catch (const std::exception&) {
        // try next endpoint
    }
}
if (!socket.is_open()) {
    throw SocketError("failed to connect socket");
}

// write an HTTP request
awt = ut::asio::asyncWrite(socket, request);
awt.await();

// read response
awt = ut::asio::asyncReadUntil(socket, outResponse, std::string("\r\n"));
awt.await();

The Awaitable class is a generic wrapper for asynchronous operations. All asynchronous methods return an Awaitable. Its await() method yields control to the main loop until the Awaitable completes or fails, at which point the coroutine resumes. If operation failed the associated exception gets thrown. Note there is no return value -- output parameters such as endpoints must be passed by reference.

Awaitables compose easily, just like regular functions. More complex patterns are supported through awaitAll() / awaitAny().

Another snippet. Download and archive some files, allowing for archival while next download is in progress:

std::vector<std::string> urls = { ... };

ut::Awaitable awtArchive;

for (std::string url : urls) {
    // holds fetched document
    std::unique_ptr<std::vector<char> > document;

    ut::Awaitable awtFetch = asyncFetch(url, &document);

    // doesn't block, instead it yields. the coroutine
    // gets resumed when fetch done or on exception.
    awtFetch.await();

    if (!awtArchive.isNil()) {
        awtArchive.await();
    }
    awtArchive = asyncArchive(std::move(document));
}

There are several examples included. See stock client for a direct comparison between classic async and the await pattern.

Features

• coroutines, iterable generators

• composable awaitables

• support for exceptions

• can adapt any asynchronous API

• Boost.Asio wrappers

• pluggable into any program with a run loop

• good performance with stack pooling

• customizable logging

• portable

Installation

1. Install Boost. To use CppAwait you need Boost 1.54+ with Boost.Context, Boost.Coroutine and Boost.System compiled [*]. Quick guide:

   • download Boost archive
   • ./bootstrap
   • ./b2 --build-type=minimal --with-context --with-coroutine --with-chrono --with-thread --toolset=your-toolset stage

2. Install CMake 2.8+

3. Build CppAwait:

   • mkdir build_dir ; cd build_dir
   • cmake -G "your-generator" -DBOOST_INCLUDEDIR="path-to-boost" -DBOOST_LIBRARYDIR="path-to-boost-libs" "path-to-CppAwait"
   • open solution / make

(*) Visual C++ 2010 doesn't implement the thread library. In this case Boost.Chrono and Boost.Thread are also required to compile the examples.

Portability

The library is supported on Windows / Linux with any of these compilers:

• Visual C++ 2010 or later
• GCC 4.6.2 or later

Boost.Context includes assembly code for ARM / MIPS / PowerPC32 / PowerPC64 / X86-32 / X86-64.

Porting to additional platforms (e.g. iOS, Android) should be trivial.

Authors

Valentin Milea [email protected]

License

Copyright 2012-2013 Valentin Milea

Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
You may obtain a copy of the License at

  http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0

Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
limitations under the License.