What is the Haskell Async library and how can I use it?

What is the Haskell Async library and how can I use it?

The Haskell Async library provides a way to work with asynchronous programming in Haskell. It allows you to run computations concurrently, making it easier to handle tasks that can be performed in parallel.

Can you give me an example of how to use it?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

import Control.Concurrent.Async

main :: IO ()
main = do
    result <- async (someLongRunningTask)
    -- Do other work here
    value <- wait result
    print value

What are some common use cases for the Async library?

Common use cases include web scraping, handling multiple I/O operations, and performing background tasks in applications.

Are there any performance considerations I should be aware of?

Yes, while the Async library is powerful, it's important to manage the number of concurrent tasks to avoid overwhelming system resources.