How do I send custom objects in Breep?

Use the BREEP_DECLARE_TYPE macro to declare the type, then register data listeners and send objects directly with network.send_object_to, as demonstrated in the example code for std::string.

Breep vs Boost.Asio for peer-to-peer networking?

Breep provides a higher-level abstraction with built-in P2P management and object serialization, reducing boilerplate, while Boost.Asio offers more low-level control but requires manual handling of connections and data.

Does Breep support UDP for real-time apps?

No, Breep currently only supports TCP, and UDP support is listed as 'on hold' in the road map, so it's not suitable for latency-sensitive applications like fast-paced games.

How does Breep handle NAT traversal or firewalls?

Through automatic bridging, which routes connections via other peers when direct links are blocked, but it relies on TCP and may not solve all network configuration issues.

What's the performance overhead of Breep's serialization?

It adds a fixed 64 bits of overhead when optimized, which is minimal, but the library's slow compilation and event-driven model might introduce runtime delays in high-throughput scenarios.

Is Breep good for large-scale distributed systems?

It simplifies P2P networking for prototyping or small projects, but its immaturity and lack of extensive testing make it risky for large-scale, production-critical deployments.

Open-Awesome

Breep

EUPL-1.1C++0.1.0

A high-level C++ peer-to-peer networking library with automatic bridging and object serialization.

GitHub

146 stars23 forks0 contributors

What is Breep?

Breep is a C++ peer-to-peer networking library built on top of Boost. It enables developers to create distributed applications by providing high-level abstractions for network communication, including automatic bridging between peers and direct object serialization over TCP.

Target Audience

C++ developers building peer-to-peer applications, distributed systems, or networked games who want a high-level networking library with minimal boilerplate.

Value Proposition

Breep simplifies peer-to-peer networking by handling connection management and data serialization automatically, allowing developers to focus on application logic rather than low-level network details.

Overview

C++ peer to peer library, built on the top of boost

Use Cases

Best For

Building peer-to-peer chat applications in C++
Creating distributed computing systems with automatic failover
Developing networked multiplayer games with object synchronization
Implementing custom peer-to-peer protocols with serialization
Prototyping distributed applications quickly without low-level networking code
Educational projects exploring peer-to-peer networking concepts

Not Ideal For

Applications requiring low-latency UDP communication, such as real-time gaming or VoIP
Projects deployed on BigEndian architectures due to untested compatibility
Development environments with strict build time constraints
Mission-critical systems needing extensively tested and reliable networking libraries

Pros & Cons

Pros

Direct Object Serialization

Enables sending and receiving custom C++ objects directly over the network with minimal code, as shown in the tutorial examples using BREEP_DECLARE_TYPE.

Automatic Bridging

Establishes indirect connections through peers when direct links fail, handling network constraints like poorly configured ports without developer intervention.

Low Overhead

Adds only 64 bits of extra overhead with optimized serialization, making it efficient compared to raw byte transmission while maintaining high-level abstractions.

Event-Driven Model

Uses listeners for connections, disconnections, and data events, reducing manual network state management and simplifying application logic.

Cons

Slow Compilation

The README admits it's 'very, very slow to compile with,' which can hinder development speed and iteration cycles.

TCP-Only Protocol

Lacks UDP support, with implementation on hold, restricting use for applications requiring connectionless or real-time communication.

BigEndian Compatibility Issues

Potentially broken on BigEndian architectures with no testing, as acknowledged in the README, limiting cross-platform deployment.

Limited Testing

Not tested as much as it should be, raising concerns about stability, bugs, and reliability in production environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

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