Where to Find Asio Examples in the Repository: Complete Directory Guide

All Asio example programs are stored in the src/examples directory, organized by C++ standard version and grouped into subdirectories by feature category such as timers, SSL, and composed operations.

The chriskohlhoff/asio repository provides a comprehensive collection of self-contained, header-only sample programs that demonstrate how to use Asio's asynchronous I/O facilities. Each example file in the src/examples hierarchy is designed to compile independently, making it easy to browse, build, and experiment with specific features.

Repository Structure for Asio Examples

The Asio repository organizes sample code under a single root location to simplify navigation and discovery.

Root Directory Layout

All examples reside in src/examples/, which serves as the parent directory for every sample program. This folder is subdivided primarily by the C++ language standard required for compilation, followed by functional categories that reflect the specific Asio features being demonstrated.

The typical path structure follows this pattern:

src/examples/<cpp_standard>/<feature_category>/<example_file>

C++ Standard Organization

Examples are segregated into version-specific folders to ensure compatibility:

• src/examples/cpp11/ – Samples targeting C++11, including basic tutorials, SSL clients, and timeout handling
• src/examples/cpp14/ – Examples leveraging C++14 features, particularly composed asynchronous operations using async_compose
• src/examples/cpp20/ – Modern samples utilizing C++20 coroutines, channels, and advanced concurrency primitives

Feature Categories

Within each standard folder, examples are grouped by functionality:

• tutorial/ – Introductory text examples explaining basic timer and I/O operations
• operations/ – Custom composed operation implementations
• ssl/ – SSL/TLS client and server demonstrations
• timers/ – Blocking and asynchronous timer usage patterns
• channels/ – C++20 channel-based synchronization examples
• timeouts/ – Examples handling connection and operation timeouts

Navigating Asio Examples by C++ Standard

Each C++ standard folder contains idiomatic code samples that reflect best practices for that language version.

C++11 Examples (src/examples/cpp11/)

The C++11 directory contains foundational examples that work with older compilers while demonstrating core Asio concepts. Key files include:

• src/examples/cpp11/tutorial/timer_dox.txt – A tutorial-style example showing how to create a timer, set an expiry time, and block on the wait() method
• src/examples/cpp11/ssl/client.cpp – Demonstrates establishing an SSL/TLS client connection and retrieving server certificate information
• src/examples/cpp11/timeouts/blocking_tcp_client.cpp – Implements a blocking TCP client using the async_result trait with timeout handling

These files compile with standard C++11 support and require only the Asio headers.

C++14 Examples (src/examples/cpp14/)

The C++14 folder focuses on composed operations and advanced asynchronous patterns:

• src/examples/cpp14/operations/composed_1.cpp through composed_8.cpp – A progressive series showing how to build custom asynchronous operations using async_compose

These examples demonstrate how to encapsulate multiple low-level async calls into reusable, high-level operations while maintaining zero-overhead abstraction.

C++20 Examples (src/examples/cpp20/)

The C++20 directory showcases modern asynchronous programming with coroutines:

• src/examples/cpp20/channels/mutual_exclusion_2.cpp – Implements mutual exclusion semantics using C++20 channels
• src/examples/cpp20/operations/ – C++20 equivalents of the composed operation examples found in the C++14 folder

Compiling Asio Examples

Since Asio is a header-only library, each example file is self-contained and ready to compile. You can build any example using a standard C++ compiler with the appropriate standard flag and include path.

To compile a C++11 timer example:

g++ -std=c++11 -I/path/to/asio/include src/examples/cpp11/tutorial/timer_dox.txt -o timer_example -lpthread

To build a C++14 composed operation example:

g++ -std=c++14 -I/path/to/asio/include src/examples/cpp14/operations/composed_1.cpp -o composed_example -lpthread

For C++20 coroutine examples, ensure your compiler supports C++20 coroutines:

g++ -std=c++20 -fcoroutines -I/path/to/asio/include src/examples/cpp20/channels/mutual_exclusion_2.cpp -o channel_example -lpthread

Summary

• Asio examples are located exclusively in the src/examples directory of the chriskohlhoff/asio repository.
• The directory is organized first by C++ standard (cpp11, cpp14, cpp20), then by feature category (timers, SSL, operations, channels).
• Each file is a self-contained program that compiles against Asio's header-only library.
• C++11 examples cover basic I/O and SSL, C++14 examples focus on composed operations, and C++20 examples demonstrate coroutines and channels.
• Examples can be compiled directly with standard compilers using -std=c++11 (or higher) and the Asio include path.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the Asio tutorial examples located?

The tutorial examples are located in src/examples/cpp11/tutorial/. This directory contains introductory samples such as timer_dox.txt, which demonstrates basic timer creation and blocking waits. These text files serve as the foundation for learning Asio's asynchronous I/O model.

How do I compile Asio examples from the source repository?

You can compile any example directly using a C++ compiler with the appropriate standard flag. For example, run g++ -std=c++14 -I/path/to/asio/include src/examples/cpp14/operations/composed_1.cpp -lpthread. Since Asio is header-only, no separate library linking is required beyond system threading libraries.

What is the difference between C++14 and C++20 examples in Asio?

The C++14 examples focus on async_compose and custom completion handlers for building composed operations. The C++20 examples utilize coroutines and channels, providing simpler sequential-looking code for asynchronous flows. Both demonstrate best practices for their respective language standards.

Are there SSL examples in the Asio repository?

Yes, SSL examples are located in src/examples/cpp11/ssl/. These include client.cpp and server implementations that demonstrate how to establish encrypted connections, verify certificates, and perform SSL/TLS handshakes using Asio's SSL wrappers around OpenSSL.

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