How do I handle errors in rpclib?

Errors are typically managed through response objects or exceptions; for instance, client.call returns a response that can be checked with .as() or may throw on network failures, but detailed error handling requires manual implementation.

rpclib vs gRPC for C++?

rpclib is simpler with no IDL and uses msgpack-RPC, ideal for quick setup, while gRPC offers more features like streaming, multiple protocols, and better tooling but with higher complexity and code generation overhead.

Can rpclib work with Python?

Yes, since it uses msgpack-RPC, any language with a msgpack-RPC library, such as Python via msgpack-rpc-python, can communicate with rpclib servers or clients.

How to implement asynchronous calls in rpclib?

Use server.async_run() to spawn worker threads for handling calls asynchronously, but for custom async patterns, you may need to manage threads or event loops manually beyond the built-in options.

Is rpclib secure for production use?

The library doesn't include built-in security features like encryption; developers must implement TLS or other transport-layer security externally, which adds complexity.

What is the performance overhead of rpclib?

Based on modern C++ and msgpack serialization, it should be efficient, but the README lacks benchmarks, so performance testing against specific workloads is recommended.

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rpclib

NOASSERTIONC++v2.3.0

A modern C++14 msgpack-RPC library for building client-server applications without IDL or code generation.

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What is rpclib?

rpclib is a modern C++ library that implements the msgpack-RPC protocol for building client-server applications. It provides both client and server components that allow programs to expose functions for remote calling and call functions on remote programs, facilitating communication between distributed systems. The library eliminates the need for interface definition languages (IDL) and code generation steps, making RPC implementation straightforward in C++ projects.

Target Audience

C++ developers building distributed systems, microservices, or networked applications that require remote procedure call capabilities. It's particularly suitable for teams needing cross-language RPC communication via the msgpack protocol.

Value Proposition

Developers choose rpclib for its simplicity—it requires no IDL learning or code generation—and its modern C++14 implementation that provides type safety and clean APIs. Unlike many RPC solutions, it integrates directly into C++ codebases without additional build steps or external tools.

Overview

rpclib is a modern C++ msgpack-RPC server and client library

Use Cases

Best For

Building microservices architectures in C++
Creating cross-language RPC interfaces using msgpack
Developing distributed systems with remote function calls
Implementing client-server applications without IDL overhead
Adding RPC capabilities to existing C++ codebases
Prototyping networked applications quickly with minimal setup

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring JSON-RPC protocol for web compatibility or existing tooling
Teams preferring IDL-based RPC for explicit API contracts and documentation
Systems needing advanced asynchronous patterns or real-time messaging beyond basic RPC

Pros & Cons

Pros

No IDL Overhead

Eliminates the need to learn a separate interface definition language, allowing direct function exposure as per the README's philosophy.

No Code Generation

Integrates with only C++ code and no additional build steps, simplifying development and build processes.

Modern C++14 Standards

Built with contemporary C++ for type safety and performance, leveraging features like auto and lambdas.

Cross-Language Interoperability

Works with any language implementing msgpack-RPC, enabling seamless communication in polyglot systems as highlighted.

Cons

Maintenance Uncertainty

The project is actively seeking maintainers, raising risks for future updates, bug fixes, and long-term support.

Protocol Limitation

Supports only msgpack-RPC, lacking alternatives like JSON-RPC which might be more widely adopted in web environments.

Basic Async Support

While async_run is available, it may not handle complex concurrency or threading scenarios as robustly as specialized frameworks.

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