How do I set up Alia for async queries using core.async?

Add the `cc.qbits/alia-async` dependency and use functions like `execute-chan` to stream rows over channels with backpressure. For example, `(<!! (execute-chan session "SELECT * FROM users"))` blocks to fetch results, allowing controlled consumption.

Alia vs Cassaforte: which is better for Clojure and Cassandra?

Alia wraps the modern DataStax Java Driver with async support and Hayt DSL, making it ideal for performance and advanced features. Cassaforte is older and may lack these updates, so choose Alia for new projects needing async capabilities or composable queries.

Does Alia support Cassandra 4.0 or newer features?

Since Alia wraps the DataStax Java Driver, it supports Cassandra versions compatible with that driver. Check the driver's release notes for specifics, but it generally includes recent protocol features and enhancements.

How to handle connection pooling and session management in Alia?

Alia uses sessions created via `alia/session` with configuration maps for contact points and load balancing. It leverages the underlying driver's pooling, and the `alia-component` module provides integration for lifecycle management in Component-based systems.

Can I use Alia without the Hayt DSL for simple queries?

Yes, Alia fully supports raw CQL strings and prepared statements. You can execute plain queries like `(execute session "SELECT * FROM users")` or use prepared statements with positional or named parameters, avoiding the DSL entirely.

What are the performance trade-offs with Alia's lazy row decoding?

Alia uses lazy row decoding by default for memory efficiency, but it also offers IReduce for user-controlled decoding. This can optimize performance for large result sets, though it requires careful handling to avoid unnecessary overhead in tight loops.

Alia — High-Performance Cassandra Client for Clojure

Q: Alia vs Cassaforte: which is better for Clojure and Cassandra?

Alia wraps the modern DataStax Java Driver with async support and Hayt DSL, making it ideal for performance and advanced features. Cassaforte is older and may lack these updates, so choose Alia for new projects needing async capabilities or composable queries.

Q: Does Alia support Cassandra 4.0 or newer features?

Since Alia wraps the DataStax Java Driver, it supports Cassandra versions compatible with that driver. Check the driver's release notes for specifics, but it generally includes recent protocol features and enhancements.

Q: How to handle connection pooling and session management in Alia?

Alia uses sessions created via `alia/session` with configuration maps for contact points and load balancing. It leverages the underlying driver's pooling, and the `alia-component` module provides integration for lifecycle management in Component-based systems.

Q: Can I use Alia without the Hayt DSL for simple queries?

Yes, Alia fully supports raw CQL strings and prepared statements. You can execute plain queries like `(execute session "SELECT * FROM users")` or use prepared statements with positional or named parameters, avoiding the DSL entirely.

Q: What are the performance trade-offs with Alia's lazy row decoding?

Alia uses lazy row decoding by default for memory efficiency, but it also offers IReduce for user-controlled decoding. This can optimize performance for large result sets, though it requires careful handling to avoid unnecessary overhead in tight loops.

What is Alia?

Alia is a high-performance Cassandra client for Clojure that wraps the DataStax Java Driver, providing a simple and idiomatic API for interacting with Cassandra databases. It solves the problem of efficiently querying Cassandra from Clojure applications with support for both synchronous and asynchronous execution, a flexible query DSL, and advanced driver features.

Target Audience

Clojure developers building applications that require robust, high-performance access to Apache Cassandra databases, especially those needing async capabilities or expressive query building.

Value Proposition

Developers choose Alia for its combination of simplicity, performance, and full feature set—leveraging the battle-tested DataStax driver while offering Clojure-friendly APIs, async patterns with core.async/manifold, and the optional Hayt DSL for composable queries.

High performance Cassandra client for clojure

Use Cases

Best For

Building Clojure applications that require high-performance Cassandra access
Implementing asynchronous database queries using core.async or manifold
Using a composable Clojure DSL for building complex CQL3 queries
Leveraging advanced Cassandra features like collections, UDTs, and streaming
Integrating Cassandra with Component-based Clojure systems
Applications needing extensible codecs for custom data types

Not Ideal For

Projects preferring a single, all-in-one dependency without managing multiple optional modules
Teams already comfortable with raw CQL strings who find DSLs like Hayt add unnecessary abstraction
Applications with very basic Cassandra needs where the overhead of async libraries or advanced features is unwarranted
Environments requiring extensive, hand-holding documentation or tutorials beyond auto-generated codox

Pros & Cons

Pros

Solid Driver Foundation

Built directly on the DataStax Java Driver, ensuring reliability, performance, and access to advanced features like SSL, authentication, and custom policies through Cassandra's native protocol.

Flexible Async Support

Offers multiple asynchronous interfaces via core.async, manifold, or CompletableFuture, allowing non-blocking operations with backpressure control for streaming rows or pages.

Composable Query DSL

The optional Hayt DSL enables expressive CQL3+ query building using Clojure data structures, with composability through normal map functions and built-in caching for prepared statements.

Extensible and Modular

Features separate modules for async libraries, time codecs, and Clojure spec integration, allowing tailored dependencies and easy extension for custom data types or systems like Component.

Cons

Modular Setup Complexity

The project is split into multiple libraries (e.g., alia-async, alia-manifold), which can complicate dependency management and initial setup, especially for developers unfamiliar with the ecosystem.

Optional DSL Learning Curve

While Hayt is optional, integrating it requires learning a new DSL syntax, which may be redundant for teams already proficient with raw CQL or using simple query patterns.

Sparse Practical Documentation

Documentation relies heavily on auto-generated codox, which may lack beginner-friendly tutorials or real-world examples, potentially slowing onboarding for new users.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Alia?

Target Audience

Clojure developers building applications that require robust, high-performance access to Apache Cassandra databases, especially those needing async capabilities or expressive query building.

Value Proposition

Use Cases

Best For

Building Clojure applications that require high-performance Cassandra access
Implementing asynchronous database queries using core.async or manifold
Using a composable Clojure DSL for building complex CQL3 queries
Leveraging advanced Cassandra features like collections, UDTs, and streaming
Integrating Cassandra with Component-based Clojure systems
Applications needing extensible codecs for custom data types

Not Ideal For

Projects preferring a single, all-in-one dependency without managing multiple optional modules
Teams already comfortable with raw CQL strings who find DSLs like Hayt add unnecessary abstraction
Applications with very basic Cassandra needs where the overhead of async libraries or advanced features is unwarranted
Environments requiring extensive, hand-holding documentation or tutorials beyond auto-generated codox

Pros & Cons

Pros

Solid Driver Foundation

Built directly on the DataStax Java Driver, ensuring reliability, performance, and access to advanced features like SSL, authentication, and custom policies through Cassandra's native protocol.

Flexible Async Support

Offers multiple asynchronous interfaces via core.async, manifold, or CompletableFuture, allowing non-blocking operations with backpressure control for streaming rows or pages.

Composable Query DSL

The optional Hayt DSL enables expressive CQL3+ query building using Clojure data structures, with composability through normal map functions and built-in caching for prepared statements.

Extensible and Modular

Features separate modules for async libraries, time codecs, and Clojure spec integration, allowing tailored dependencies and easy extension for custom data types or systems like Component.

Cons

Modular Setup Complexity

The project is split into multiple libraries (e.g., alia-async, alia-manifold), which can complicate dependency management and initial setup, especially for developers unfamiliar with the ecosystem.

Optional DSL Learning Curve

While Hayt is optional, integrating it requires learning a new DSL syntax, which may be redundant for teams already proficient with raw CQL or using simple query patterns.

Sparse Practical Documentation

Documentation relies heavily on auto-generated codox, which may lack beginner-friendly tutorials or real-world examples, potentially slowing onboarding for new users.

Frequently Asked Questions

Alia

What is Alia?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?

Alia

What is Alia?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?