Zig's new plan for asynchronous programs
8 days ago
- #Zig
- #Io-interface
- #asynchronous-programming
- Zig introduces a new approach to asynchronous I/O with a generic interface named Io, solving the function coloring problem.
- The Io interface allows functions to perform I/O operations without distinguishing between synchronous and asynchronous execution in their syntax.
- Two built-in implementations of the Io interface are provided: Io.Threaded for synchronous operations and Io.Evented for asynchronous operations using an event loop.
- Library authors can write functions that work with both synchronous and asynchronous I/O without changing the function signature or interaction with the codebase.
- Zig's approach turns asynchronous code into a performance optimization, allowing initial implementations to use straight-line code and later optimize with asynchronous operations if needed.
- The Io interface includes functions like async() for operations that can be done in parallel and concurrent() for operations that must run simultaneously for correctness.
- Zig's design maintains the language's minimalist philosophy, not introducing new syntax for asynchronous code, and allows the use of existing control-flow primitives like try and defer.
- Asynchronous I/O in Zig is still under development, with Io.Evented being experimental and not yet available for all supported operating systems.
- The new approach is part of Zig's progress towards its 1.0 release, addressing one of the larger remaining priorities alongside native code generation.