What are the limitations of the Haskell async library?

What are the limitations of the Haskell async library?

The Haskell async library is great for concurrent programming, but it has some limitations. For instance, it doesn't support cancellation of asynchronous actions once they are started, which can lead to resource leaks. Additionally, it may not handle exceptions in a way that is intuitive for all users.

Can you explain more about the resource leaks?

Sure! When an asynchronous action is started, if it doesn't complete or is not properly managed, it can hold onto resources like memory or file handles. This can lead to increased memory usage over time, especially in long-running applications.

Are there any workarounds for these limitations?

Yes, one common workaround is to use the 'async' function in combination with 'wait' to ensure that resources are cleaned up properly. You can also use libraries like 'bracket' to manage resources more effectively.

What about error handling in the async library?

Error handling can be tricky. The async library provides mechanisms to catch exceptions, but you need to be careful about how you structure your code to ensure that exceptions are propagated correctly.