What are async and futures in C++14?

Can you explain what async and futures are in C++14?

Sure! In C++14, async is a function that runs a task asynchronously, while future is a way to retrieve the result of that task later.

How do I use async to run a function in the background?

You can use std::async to call a function asynchronously. For example: std::async(std::launch::async, myFunction);.

What happens if I try to access the future before the task is complete?

If you access the future before the task is complete, it will block until the result is available.

Can I cancel an async task once it's started?

No, once an async task is started, you cannot cancel it. You would need to manage cancellation manually.