Async or Non-Async APIs: Which Approach is Best for Maintainable Network I/O Libraries?

Building Robust Network I/O Libraries: Async or Non-Async?

Creating reusable network I/O libraries often involves the decision of whether to offer both asynchronous (async) and synchronous (non-async) interfaces. While seemingly beneficial, this approach can lead to significant maintenance challenges.

The Synchronous Approach (and its pitfalls):

A common, but inefficient, method for creating synchronous methods is to simply wrap an asynchronous call with a Wait() operation. This introduces unnecessary blocking, particularly detrimental when dealing with computationally intensive I/O tasks.

Prioritizing Maintainability: A Single Async API

For easier maintenance and cleaner code, the recommended approach is to focus on a consistent asynchronous API. This approach eliminates redundancy and simplifies the overall library structure.

Exceptions to the Rule: Justifying Separate Implementations

Situations may arise where both async and non-async methods are absolutely necessary. In such cases, separate implementations are preferable. Although this requires more initial development effort, it leads to better optimized code and enhanced maintainability in the long run.

Avoid Wrapper Workarounds:

Attempting to create async/non-async wrappers through workarounds often results in overly complex and less maintainable code. This approach should generally be avoided.

Further Reading:

• Should I expose asynchronous wrappers for synchronous methods?
• Should I expose synchronous wrappers for asynchronous methods?

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