chriskohlhoff/asio
Asio
Asio is a C++ library for performing network and low-level I/O operations using a consistent asynchronous model that avoids blocking program execution. It provides a portable, cross-platform interface for network socket communication across different operating systems, and manages multiple asynchronous operations without requiring explicit thread management or locking.
The library implements a proactor-based asynchronous model where operations post completion handlers to a queue for later execution, and wraps operating system I/O multiplexing mechanisms like epoll, kqueue, IOCP, and select into a uniform interface. It supports multiple completion token types including callbacks, futures, and coroutines through a uniform handler interface, and serialises completion handler execution through strand objects to eliminate explicit locking in concurrent code. Asio also provides mutable and constant buffer sequences for efficient scatter-gather read and write operations, and integrates deadline and steady timers with the I/O event loop for time-based asynchronous operations.
The library enables building asynchronous I/O operations, handling network communication, and managing concurrent tasks. It includes error handling capabilities for returning clear messages when requested resources are unavailable.
Features
- Asynchronous I/O Libraries - Provides a non-blocking interface for system I/O operations via event loops.
- Completion Token Abstractions - Supports multiple completion token types including callbacks, futures, and coroutines through a uniform handler interface.
- Proactor - Implements a proactor-based completion model where operations post handlers to a queue for later execution.
- Cross-Platform Networking - Provides a portable, cross-platform interface for network socket communication across different operating systems.
- Socket Networking - Sends and receives data across network sockets using a portable interface that works on different operating systems.
- Non-Blocking Socket I/O - Enables non-blocking reading and writing of network sockets to handle many concurrent connections.
- Completion Token Handlers - Provides a uniform handler interface supporting callbacks, futures, and coroutines for async C++ programming.
- Non-Blocking I/O Interfaces - Provides interfaces that allow the system to initiate I/O operations and continue execution without waiting for completion.
- Handle Abstractions - Handles file descriptors, sockets, and timers through a consistent non-blocking model.
- Cross-Platform Asynchronous I/O Abstractions - Provides a unified interface for performing non-blocking network and file operations across different operating systems.
- Proactor-Based Concurrency - Manages multiple network and file operations concurrently without explicit thread synchronization or locking.
- I/O Event Loop Timers - Integrates deadline and steady timers with the I/O event loop for time-based asynchronous operations.
- Async I/O Runtimes - Provides event loops and task schedulers for executing non-blocking I/O operations.
- Concurrency Management Libraries - Manages multiple asynchronous operations without requiring explicit thread management or locking.
- Strand-Based Serializers - Serialises completion handler execution through strand objects to eliminate explicit locking in concurrent code.
- Asynchronous Concurrency Managers - Manages multiple asynchronous operations without requiring explicit thread management or locking.
- Strand-Based Serializers - Ships strand objects that serialize handler execution, enabling lock-free concurrency for async I/O.
- Non-blocking I/O - Uses non-blocking input and output to handle multiple operations across processor cores.
- Platform Event Loop Adapters - Wraps platform-native event loops (epoll, kqueue, IOCP, select) behind a uniform API for cross-platform portability.
- Event Loop Schedulers - Runs multiple I/O operations in parallel by scheduling them on an event loop that resumes tasks on completion.
- Buffer Sequences - Provides mutable and constant buffer sequences for efficient scatter-gather read and write operations.
- I/O Event Loop Timers - Implements deadline and steady timers that integrate with the I/O event loop for time-based asynchronous operations.
- Asynchronous Task Composition - Chains multiple async tasks together using a consistent pattern to simplify complex input/output workflows.
- Multiplexing Abstractions - Selects the most efficient system-level event notification mechanism available on the host operating system.
- Vectored I/O - Provides mutable and constant buffer sequences for efficient scatter-gather read and write operations.
- Asynchronous Event Loop - Cross-platform library for network and low-level I/O.
- Network Libraries - Cross-platform C++ library for network and low-level I/O.
- Serial Port Communication - Portable classes for serial port communication and I/O.
- Web and Networking - Asynchronous network and low-level I/O library.
