What are the differences between async and threading in Ruby?

What are the differences between async and threading in Ruby?

In Ruby, threading allows multiple threads to run concurrently, sharing the same memory space, while async programming uses event loops to handle tasks without blocking. This means async can be more efficient for I/O-bound tasks, while threading is better for CPU-bound tasks.

Can you give me an example of when to use async over threading?

Sure! If you're building a web server that handles many requests, using async can help manage I/O operations without blocking, making it more scalable. On the other hand, if you're performing heavy computations, threading might be more suitable.

What are the performance implications of each approach?

Async programming generally has lower overhead and can handle more tasks simultaneously, especially for I/O-bound operations. Threading can lead to context switching overhead and potential race conditions, but it can utilize multiple CPU cores effectively for CPU-bound tasks.

Are there any libraries in Ruby that support async programming?

Yes, Ruby has several libraries for async programming, such as EventMachine, Async, and Celluloid. These libraries help manage asynchronous tasks and improve performance in I/O-bound applications.