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ECMAScript Async Explicit Resource Management

ECMAScript Async Explicit Resource Management has been subsumed by the ECMAScript Explicit Resource Management Proposal. Further discussion should occur in that repository.

This proposal relates to async functionality deferred from the original Explicit Resource Management proposal and shares the same motivations:

This proposal intends to address a common pattern in software development regarding the lifetime and management of various resources (memory, I/O, etc.). This pattern generally includes the allocation of a resource and the ability to explicitly release critical resources.

Please note: Specification text for this proposal is yet to be updated since this split occurred.

For example, ECMAScript Async Generator Functions expose this pattern through the return method, as a means to explicitly evaluate finally blocks to ensure user-defined cleanup logic is preserved:

async function * g() {
  const stream = acquireStream(); // critical resource
  try {
    ...
  }
  finally {
    await stream.close(); // cleanup
  }
}

const obj = g();
try {
  const r = await obj.next();
  ...
}
finally {
  await obj.return(); // calls finally blocks in `g`
}

As such, we propose the adoption of a novel syntax to simplify this common pattern:

// in an async function:
async function * g() {
  await using handle = acquireFileHandle(); // async-block-scoped critical resource
} // async cleanup

// in a block in an async context:
{
  await using obj = g(); // block-scoped declaration
  const r = await obj.next();
} // calls finally blocks in `g` and awaits result

In addition, we propose the addition of a disposable container object to assist with managing multiple resources:

  • AsyncDisposableStack — A stack-based container of asynchronously disposable resources.

Status

Stage: 3
Champion: Ron Buckton (@rbuckton)
Last Presented: March, 2023 (slides, notes #1, notes #2)

For more information see the TC39 proposal process.

Authors

  • Ron Buckton (@rbuckton)

Motivations

This proposal is motivated by a number of cases:

  • Inconsistent patterns for resource management:
    • ECMAScript Iterators: iterator.return()
    • WHATWG Stream Readers: reader.releaseLock()
    • NodeJS FileHandles: handle.close()
    • Emscripten C++ objects handles: Module._free(ptr) obj.delete() Module.destroy(obj)
  • Avoiding common footguns when managing resources: 
    const writer = getWritableStream();
...
await writer.close(); // Oops, should have been in a try/finally
  • Scoping resources: 
    const writer = ...;
try {
  ... // ok to use `writer`
}
finally {
  await writer.close();
}
// not ok to use `writer`, but still in scope
  • Ensuring cleanup is properly await-ed: 
    const writer = ...;
try {
  ...
}
finally {
  writer.close(); // oops, forgot `await`
}
  • Avoiding common footguns when managing multiple resources: 
    const a = ...;
const b = ...;
try {
  ...
}
finally {
  await a.close(); // Oops, issue if `b.close()` depends on `a`.
  await b.close(); // Oops, `b` never reached if `a.close()` throws.
}
  • Avoiding lengthy code when managing multiple resources correctly: 
    { // block avoids leaking `a` or `b` to outer scope
  const a = ...;
  try {
    const b = ...;
    try {
      ...
    }
    finally {
      await b.close(); // ensure `b` is closed before `a` in case `b`
                       // depends on `a`
    }
  }
  finally {
    await a.close(); // ensure `a` is closed even if `b.close()` throws
  }
}
// both `a` and `b` are out of scope
    Compared to: 
    // avoids leaking `a` or `b` to outer scope
// ensures `b` is disposed before `a` in case `b` depends on `a`
// ensures `a` is disposed even if disposing `b` throws
await using a = ..., b = ...;
...
  • Non-blocking memory/IO applications: 
    import { AsyncReaderWriterLock } from "...";
const lock = new AsyncReaderWriterLock();

export async function readData() {
  // wait for outstanding writer and take a read lock
  await using lockHandle = await lock.read();
  ... // any number of readers
  await ...;
  ... // still in read lock after `await`
} // release the read lock, awaiting the result

export async function writeData(data) {
  // wait for all readers and take a write lock
  await using lockHandle = await lock.write();
  ... // only one writer
  await ...;
  ... // still in write lock after `await`
} // release the write lock, awaiting the result

Prior Art

Definitions

  • Resource — An object with a specific lifetime, at the end of which either a lifetime-sensitive operation should be performed or a non-gargbage-collected reference (such as a file handle, socket, etc.) should be closed or freed.
  • Resource Management — A process whereby "resources" are released, triggering any lifetime-sensitive operations or freeing any related non-garbage-collected references.
  • Implicit Resource Management — Indicates a system whereby the lifetime of a "resource" is managed implicitly by the runtime as part of garbage collection, such as:
    • WeakMap keys
    • WeakSet values
    • WeakRef values
    • FinalizationRegistry entries
  • Explicit Resource Management — Indicates a system whereby the lifetime of a "resource" is managed explicitly by the user either imperatively (by directly calling a method like Symbol.dispose or Symbol.asyncDispose) or declaratively (through a block-scoped declaration like using or await using).

Syntax

await using Declarations

// an asynchronously-disposed, block-scoped resource
await using x = expr1;            // resource w/ local binding
await using y = expr2, z = expr4; // multiple resources

An await using declaration can appear in the following contexts:

  • The top level of a Module anywhere VariableStatement is allowed, as long as it is not immediately nested inside of a CaseClause or DefaultClause.
  • In the body of an async function or async generator anywhere a VariableStatement is allowed, as long as it is not immediately nested inside of a CaseClause or DefaultClause.
  • In the head of a for-of or for-await-of statement.

await using in for-of and for-await-of Statements

for (await using x of y) ...

for await (await using x of y) ...

You can use a await using declaration in a for-of or for-await-of statement inside of an async context to explicitly bind each iterated value as an async disposable resource. for-await-of does not implicitly make a non-async using declaration into an async await using declaration, as the await markers in for-await-of and await using are explicit indicators for distinct cases: for await only indicates async iteration, while await using only indicates async disposal. For example:

// sync iteration, sync disposal
for (using x of y) ; // no implicit `await` at end of each iteration

// sync iteration, async disposal
for (await using x of y) ; // implicit `await` at end of each iteration

// async iteration, sync disposal
for await (using x of y) ; // implicit `await` at end of each iteration

// async iteration, async disposal
for await (await using x of y) ; // implicit `await` at end of each iteration

While there is some overlap in that the last three cases introduce some form of implicit await during execution, it is intended that the presence or absence of the await modifier in a using declaration is an explicit indicator as to whether we are expecting the iterated value to have an @@asyncDispose method. This distinction is in line with the behavior of for-of and for-await-of:

const iter = { [Symbol.iterator]() { return [].values(); } };
const asyncIter = { [Symbol.asyncIterator]() { return [].values(); } };

for (const x of iter) ; // ok: `iter` has @@iterator
for (const x of asyncIter) ; // throws: `asyncIter` does not have @@iterator

for await (const x of iter) ; // ok: `iter` has @@iterator (fallback)
for await (const x of asyncIter) ; // ok: `asyncIter` has @@asyncIterator

using and await using have the same distinction:

const res = { [Symbol.dispose]() {} };
const asyncRes = { [Symbol.asyncDispose]() {} };

using x = res; // ok: `res` has @@dispose
using x = asyncRes; // throws: `asyncRes` does not have @@dispose

await using x = res; // ok: `res` has @@dispose (fallback)
await using x = asyncres; // ok: `asyncRes` has @@asyncDispose

This results in a matrix of behaviors based on the presence of each await marker:

const res = { [Symbol.dispose]() {} };
const asyncRes = { [Symbol.asyncDispose]() {} };
const iter = { [Symbol.iterator]() { return [res, asyncRes].values(); } };
const asyncIter = { [Symbol.asyncIterator]() { return [res, asyncRes].values(); } };

for (using x of iter) ;
// sync iteration, sync disposal
// - `iter` has @@iterator: ok
// - `res` has @@dispose: ok
// - `asyncRes` does not have @@dispose: *error*

for (using x of asyncIter) ;
// sync iteration, sync disposal
// - `asyncIter` does not have @@iterator: *error*

for (await using x of iter) ;
// sync iteration, async disposal
// - `iter` has @@iterator: ok
// - `res` has @@dispose (fallback): ok
// - `asyncRes` has @@asyncDispose: ok

for (await using x of asyncIter) ;
// sync iteration, async disposal
// - `asyncIter` does not have @@iterator: error

for await (using x of iter) ;
// async iteration, sync disposal
// - `iter` has @@iterator (fallback): ok
// - `res` has @@dispose: ok
// - `asyncRes` does not have @@dispose: error

for await (using x of asyncIter) ;
// async iteration, sync disposal
// - `asyncIter` has @@asyncIterator: ok
// - `res` has @@dispose: ok
// - `asyncRes` does not have @@dispose: error

for await (await using x of iter) ;
// async iteration, async disposal
// - `iter` has @@iterator (fallback): ok
// - `res` has @@dispose (fallback): ok
// - `asyncRes` does has @@asyncDispose: ok

for await (await using x of asyncIter) ;
// async iteration, async disposal
// - `asyncIter` has @@asyncIterator: ok
// - `res` has @@dispose (fallback): ok
// - `asyncRes` does has @@asyncDispose: ok

Or, in table form:

Syntax Iteration Disposal
for (using x of y) @@iterator @@dispose
for (await using x of y) @@iterator @@asyncDispose/@@dispose
for await (using x of y) @@asyncIterator/@@iterator @@dispose
for await (await using x of y) @@asyncIterator/@@iterator @@asyncDispose/@@dispose

Grammar

Please refer to the specification text for the most recent version of the grammar.

Semantics

await using Declarations

await using Declarations with Explicit Local Bindings

UsingDeclaration :
  `using` `await` BindingList `;`

LexicalBinding :
    BindingIdentifier Initializer

When an await using declaration is parsed with BindingIdentifier Initializer, the bindings created in the declaration are tracked for disposal at the end of the containing async function body, Block, or Module:

{
  ... // (1)
  await using x = expr1;
  ... // (2)
}

The above example has similar runtime semantics as the following transposed representation:

{
  const $$try = { stack: [], error: undefined, hasError: false };
  try {
    ... // (1)

    const x = expr1;
    if (x !== null && x !== undefined) {
      let $$dispose = x[Symbol.asyncDispose];
      if (typeof $$dispose !== "function") {
        $$dispose = x[Symbol.dispose];
      }
      if (typeof $$dispose !== "function") {
        throw new TypeError();
      }
      $$try.stack.push({ value: x, dispose: $$dispose });
    }

    ... // (2)
  }
  catch ($$error) {
    $$try.error = $$error;
    $$try.hasError = true;
  }
  finally {
    while ($$try.stack.length) {
      const { value: $$expr, dispose: $$dispose } = $$try.stack.pop();
      try {
        await $$dispose.call($$expr);
      }
      catch ($$error) {
        $$try.error = $$try.hasError ? new SuppressedError($$error, $$try.error) : $$error;
        $$try.hasError = true;
      }
    }
    if ($$try.hasError) {
      throw $$try.error;
    }
  }
}

If exceptions are thrown both in the statements following the await using declaration and in the call to [Symbol.asyncDispose](), all exceptions are reported.

await using Declarations with Multiple Resources

An await using declaration can mix multiple explicit bindings in the same declaration:

{
  ...
  await using x = expr1, y = expr2;
  ...
}

These bindings are again used to perform resource disposal when the Block or Module exits, however in this case each resource's [Symbol.asyncDispose]() is invoked in the reverse order of their declaration. This is approximately equivalent to the following:

{
  ... // (1)
  await using x = expr1;
  await using y = expr2;
  ... // (2)
}

Both of the above cases would have similar runtime semantics as the following transposed representation:

{
  const $$try = { stack: [], error: undefined, hasError: false };
  try {
    ... // (1)

    const x = expr1;
    if (x !== null && x !== undefined) {
      let $$dispose = x[Symbol.asyncDispose];
      if (typeof $$dispose !== "function") {
        $$dispose = x[Symbol.dispose];
      }
      if (typeof $$dispose !== "function") {
        throw new TypeError();
      }
      $$try.stack.push({ value: x, dispose: $$dispose });
    }

    const y = expr2;
    if (y !== null && y !== undefined) {
      let $$dispose = y[Symbol.asyncDispose];
      if (typeof $$dispose !== "function") {
        $$dispose = y[Symbol.dispose];
      }
      if (typeof $$dispose !== "function") {
        throw new TypeError();
      }
      $$try.stack.push({ value: y, dispose: $$dispose });
    }

    ... // (2)
  }
  catch ($$error) {
    $$try.error = $$error;
    $$try.hasError = true;
  }
  finally {
    while ($$try.stack.length) {
      const { value: $$expr, dispose: $$dispose } = $$try.stack.pop();
      try {
        await $$dispose.call($$expr);
      }
      catch ($$error) {
        $$try.error = $$try.hasError ? new SuppressedError($$error, $$try.error) : $$error;
        $$try.hasError = true;
      }
    }
    if ($$try.hasError) {
      throw $$try.error;
    }
  }
}

Since we must always ensure that we properly release resources, we must ensure that any abrupt completion that might occur during binding initialization results in evaluation of the cleanup step. When there are multiple declarations in the list, we track each resource in the order they are declared. As a result, we must release these resources in reverse order.

await using Declarations and null or undefined Values

This proposal has opted to ignore null and undefined values provided to await using declarations. This is similar to the behavior of using in the original Explicit Resource Management proposal, which also allows null and undefined, as well as C#, which also allows null,. One primary reason for this behavior is to simplify a common case where a resource might be optional, without requiring duplication of work or needless allocations:

if (isResourceAvailable()) {
  await using resource = getResource();
  ... // (1)
  resource.doSomething()
  ... // (2)
}
else {
  // duplicate code path above
  ... // (1) above
  ... // (2) above
}

Compared to:

await using resource = isResourceAvailable() ? getResource() : undefined;
... // (1) do some work with or without resource
resource?.doSomething();
... // (2) do some other work with or without resource

await using Declarations and Values Without [Symbol.asyncDispose] or [Symbol.dispose]

If a resource does not have a callable [Symbol.asyncDispose] or [Symbol.asyncDispose] member, a TypeError would be thrown immediately when the resource is tracked.

await using Declarations in for-of and for-await-of Loops

A await using declaration may occur in the ForDeclaration of a for-await-of loop:

for await (await using x of iterateResources()) {
  // use x
}

In this case, the value bound to x in each iteration will be asynchronously disposed at the end of each iteration. This will not dispose resources that are not iterated, such as if iteration is terminated early due to return, break, or throw.

await using declarations may not be used in in the head of a for-of or for-in loop.

Implicit Async Interleaving Points ("implicit await")

The await using syntax introduces an implicit async interleaving point (i.e., an implicit await) whenever control flow exits an async function body, Block, or Module containing a await using declaration. This means that two statements that currently execute in the same microtask, such as:

async function f() {
  {
    a();
  } // exit block
  b(); // same microtask as call to `a()`
}

will instead execute in different microtasks if a await using declaration is introduced:

async function f() {
  {
    await using x = ...;
    a();
  } // exit block, implicit `await`
  b(); // different microtask from call to `a()`.
}

It is important that such an implicit interleaving point be adequately indicated within the syntax. We believe that the presence of await using within such a block is an adequate indicator, since it should be fairly easy to recognize a Block containing a await using statement in well-formated code.

It is also feasible for editors to use features such as syntax highlighting, editor decorations, and inlay hints to further highlight such transitions, without needing to specify additional syntax.

Further discussion around the await using syntax and how it pertains to implicit async interleaving points can be found in #1.

Examples

The following show examples of using this proposal with various APIs, assuming those APIs adopted this proposal.

WHATWG Streams API

{
  await using stream = new ReadableStream(...);
  ...
} // 'stream' is canceled and result is awaited

NodeJS Streams

{
  await using writable = ...;
  writable.write(...);
} // 'writable.end()' is called and its result is awaited

Three-Phase Commit Transactions

// roll back transaction if either action fails
async function transfer(account1, account2) {
  await using tx = transactionManager.startTransaction(account1, account2);
  await account1.debit(amount);
  await account2.credit(amount);

  // mark transaction success if we reach this point
  tx.succeeded = true;
} // await transaction commit or rollback

API

Additions to Symbol

This proposal adds the asyncDispose property to the Symbol constructor whose value is the @@asyncDispose internal symbol:

Well-known Symbols

Specification Name [[Description]] Value and Purpose
@@asyncDispose "Symbol.asyncDispose" A method that asynchronosly explicitly disposes of resources held by the object. Called by the semantics of await using declarations and by AsyncDisposableStack objects.

TypeScript Definition

interface SymbolConstructor {
  readonly asyncDispose: unique symbol;
}

Built-in Disposables

%AsyncIteratorPrototype%.@@asyncDispose()

We propose to add Symbol.asyncDispose to the built-in %AsyncIteratorPrototype% as if it had the following behavior:

%AsyncIteratorPrototype%[Symbol.asyncDispose] = async function () {
  await this.return();
}

The Common AsyncDisposable Interface

The AsyncDisposable Interface

An object is async disposable if it conforms to the following interface:

Property Value Requirements
@@asyncDispose An async function that performs explicit cleanup. The function should return a Promise.

TypeScript Definition

interface AsyncDisposable {
  /**
   * Disposes of resources within this object.
   */
  [Symbol.asyncDispose](): Promise<void>;
}

The AsyncDisposableStack container object

AsyncDisposableStack is the async version of DisposableStack, introduced in the Explicit Resource Management proposal and is a container used to aggregate async disposables, guaranteeing that every disposable resource in the container is disposed when the respective disposal method is called. If any disposable in the container throws an error during dispose, or results in a rejected Promise, it would be thrown at the end (possibly wrapped in a SuppressedError if multiple errors were thrown):

class AsyncDisposableStack {
  constructor();

  /**
   * Gets a value indicating whether the stack has been disposed.
   * @returns {boolean}
   */
  get disposed();

  /**
   * Alias for `[Symbol.asyncDispose]()`.
   * @returns {Promise<void>}.
   */
  disposeAsync();

  /**
   * Adds a resource to the top of the stack. Has no effect if provided `null` or `undefined`.
   * @template {AsyncDisposable | Disposable | null | undefined} T
   * @param {T} value - An `AsyncDisposable` or `Disposable` object, `null`, or `undefined`.
   * @returns {T} The provided value.
   */
  use(value);

  /**
   * Adds a non-disposable resource and a disposal callback to the top of the stack.
   * @template T
   * @param {T} value - A resource to be disposed.
   * @param {(value: T) => void | Promise<void>} onDisposeAsync - A callback invoked to dispose the provided value.
   * @returns {T} The provided value.
   */
  adopt(value, onDisposeAsync);

  /**
   * Adds a disposal callback to the top of the stack.
   * @param {() => void | Promise<void>} onDisposeAsync - A callback to evaluate when this object is disposed.
   * @returns {void}
   */
  defer(onDisposeAsync);

  /**
   * Moves all resources currently in this stack into a new `AsyncDisposableStack`.
   * @returns {AsyncDisposableStack} The new `AsyncDisposableStack`.
   */
  move();

  /**
   * Asynchronously disposes of resources within this object.
   * @returns {Promise<void>}
   */
  [Symbol.asyncDispose]();

  [Symbol.toStringTag];
}

This class provids the following capabilities:

  • Aggregation
  • Interoperation and customization
  • Assist in complex construction

NOTE: AsyncDisposableStack is inspired by Python's AsyncExitStack.

Aggregation

The AsyncDisposableStack classe provide the ability to aggregate multiple disposable resources into a single container. When the AsyncDisposableStack container is disposed, each object in the container is also guaranteed to be disposed (barring early termination of the program). If any resource throws an error during dispose, or results in a rejected Promise, that error will be collected and rethrown after all resources are disposed. If there were multiple errors, they will be wrapped in nested SuppressedError objects.

For example:

const stack = new AsyncDisposableStack();
const resource1 = stack.use(getResource1());
const resource2 = stack.use(getResource2());
const resource3 = stack.use(getResource3());
await stack[Symbol.asyncDispose](); // dispose and await disposal result of resource3, then resource2, then resource1

If all of resource1, resource2 and resource3 were to throw during disposal, this would produce an exception similar to the following:

new SuppressedError(
  /*error*/ exception_from_resource3_disposal,
  /*suppressed*/ new SuppressedError(
    /*error*/ exception_from_resource2_disposal,
    /*suppressed*/ exception_from_resource1_disposal
  )
)

Interoperation and Customization

The AsyncDisposableStack class also provides the ability to create a disposable resource from a simple callback. This callback will be executed when the stack's disposal method is executed.

The ability to create a disposable resource from a callback has several benefits:

  • It allows developers to leverage await using while working with existing resources that do not conform to the Symbol.asyncDispose mechanic: 
    {
  await using stack = new AsyncDisposableStack();
  const stream = stack.adopt(createReadableStream(), async reader => await reader.close());
  ...
}
  • It grants user the ability to schedule other cleanup work to evaluate at the end of the block similar to Go's defer statement: 
    async function f() {
  await using stack = new AsyncDisposableStack();
  stack.defer(async () => await someAsyncCleanupOperaiton());
  ...
}

Assist in Complex Construction

A user-defined disposable class might need to allocate and track multiple nested resources that should be asynchronously disposed when the class instance is disposed. However, properly managing the lifetime of these nested resources during construction can sometimes be difficult. The move method of AsyncDisposableStack helps to more easily manage lifetime in these scenarios:

const privateConstructorSentinel = {};
class PluginHost {
  #disposed = false;
  #disposables;
  #channel;
  #socket;

  /** @private */
  constructor(arg) {
    if (arg !== privateConstructorSentinel) throw new TypeError("Use PluginHost.create() instead");
  }
  
  // NOTE: there's no such thing as an async constructor
  static async create() {
    const host = new PluginHost(privateConstructorSentinel);

    // Create an AsyncDisposableStack that is disposed when the constructor exits.
    // If construction succeeds, we move everything out of `stack` and into
    // `#disposables` to be disposed later.
    await using stack = new AsyncDisposableStack();


    // Create an IPC adapter around process.send/process.on("message").
    // When disposed, it unsubscribes from process.on("message").
    host.#channel = stack.use(new NodeProcessIpcChannelAdapter(process));

    // Create a pseudo-websocket that sends and receives messages over
    // a NodeJS IPC channel.
    host.#socket = stack.use(new NodePluginHostIpcSocket(host.#channel));

    // If we made it here, then there were no errors during construction and
    // we can safely move the disposables out of `stack` and into `#disposables`.
    host.#disposables = stack.move();

    // If construction failed, then `stack` would be asynchronously disposed before reaching
    // the line above. Event handlers would be removed, allowing `#channel` and
    // `#socket` to be GC'd.
    return host;
  }

  loadPlugin(file) {
    // A disposable should try to ensure access is consistent with its "disposed" state, though this isn't strictly
    // necessary since some disposables could be reusable (i.e., a Connection with an `open()` method, etc.).
    if (this.#disposed) throw new ReferenceError("Object is disposed.");
    // ...
  }

  async [Symbol.asyncDispose]() {
    if (!this.#disposed) {
      this.#disposed = true;
      const disposables = this.#disposables;

      // NOTE: we can free `#socket` and `#channel` here since they will be disposed by the call to
      // `disposables[Symbol.asyncDispose]()`, below. This isn't strictly a requirement for every disposable, but is
      // good housekeeping since these objects will no longer be useable.
      this.#socket = undefined;
      this.#channel = undefined;
      this.#disposables = undefined;

      // Dispose all resources in `disposables`
      await disposables[Symbol.asyncDispose]();
    }
  }
}

Relation to DOM APIs

This proposal does not necessarily require immediate support in the HTML DOM specification, as existing APIs can still be adapted by using DisposableStack or AsyncDisposableStack. However, there are a number of APIs that could benefit from this proposal and should be considered by the relevant standards bodies. The following is by no means a complete list, and primarily offers suggestions for consideration. The actual implementation is at the discretion of the relevant standards bodies.

NOTE: This builds on the list defined in the Explicit Resource Management proposal.

  • AudioContext — @@asyncDispose() as an alias or wrapper for close().
    • NOTE: close() here is asynchronous, but uses the same name as similar synchronous methods on other objects.
  • MediaKeySession — @@asyncDispose() as an alias or wrapper for close().
    • NOTE: close() here is asynchronous, but uses the same name as similar synchronous methods on other objects.
  • PaymentRequest — @@asyncDispose() could invoke abort() if the payment is still in the active state.
    • NOTE: abort() here is asynchronous, but uses the same name as similar synchronous methods on other objects.
  • PushSubscription — @@asyncDispose() as an alias or wrapper for unsubscribe().
  • ReadableStream — @@asyncDispose() as an alias or wrapper for cancel().
  • ReadableStreamDefaultReader — Either @@dispose() as an alias or wrapper for releaseLock(), or @@asyncDispose() as a wrapper for cancel() (but probably not both).
  • ServiceWorkerRegistration — @@asyncDispose() as a wrapper for unregister().
  • WritableStream — @@asyncDispose() as an alias or wrapper for close().
    • NOTE: close() here is asynchronous, but uses the same name as similar synchronous methods on other objects.
  • WritableStreamDefaultWriter — Either @@dispose() as an alias or wrapper for releaseLock(), or @@asyncDispose() as a wrapper for close() (but probably not both).

Definitions

A wrapper for x() is a method that invokes x(), but only if the object is in a state such that calling x() will not throw as a result of repeated evaluation.

A callback-adapting wrapper is a wrapper that adapts a continuation passing-style method that accepts a callback into a Promise-producing method.

A single-use disposer for x() and y() indicates a newly constructed disposable object that invokes x() when constructed and y() when disposed the first time (and does nothing if the object is disposed more than once).

Relation to NodeJS APIs

This proposal does not necessarily require immediate support in NodeJS, as existing APIs can still be adapted by using DisposableStack. However, there are a number of APIs that could benefit from this proposal and should be considered by the NodeJS maintainers. The following is by no means a complete list, and primarily offers suggestions for consideration. The actual implementation is at the discretion of the NodeJS maintainers.

NOTE: This builds on the list defined in the Explicit Resource Management proposal.

  • fs.promises.FileHandle — @@asyncDispose() as an alias or wrapper for close().
  • fs.Dir — @@asyncDispose() as an alias or wrapper for close(), @@dispose() as an alias or wrapper for closeSync().
  • http.ClientRequest — Either @@dispose() or @@asyncDispose() as an alias or wrapper for destroy().
  • http.Server — @@asyncDispose() as a callback-adapting wrapper for close().
  • http.ServerResponse — @@asyncDispose() as a callback-adapting wrapper for end().
  • http.IncomingMessage — Either @@dispose() or @@asyncDispose() as an alias or wrapper for destroy().
  • http.OutgoingMessage — Either @@dispose() or @@asyncDispose() as an alias or wrapper for destroy().
  • http2.Http2Session — @@asyncDispose() as a callback-adapting wrapper for close().
  • http2.Http2Stream — @@asyncDispose() as a callback-adapting wrapper for close().
  • http2.Http2Server — @@asyncDispose() as a callback-adapting wrapper for close().
  • http2.Http2SecureServer — @@asyncDispose() as a callback-adapting wrapper for close().
  • http2.Http2ServerRequest — Either @@dispose() or @@asyncDispose() as an alias or wrapper for destroy().
  • http2.Http2ServerResponse — @@asyncDispose() as a callback-adapting wrapper for end().
  • https.Server — @@asyncDispose() as a callback-adapting wrapper for close().
  • stream.Writable — Either @@dispose() or @@asyncDispose() as an alias or wrapper for destroy() or @@asyncDispose only as a callback-adapting wrapper for end() (depending on whether the disposal behavior should be to drop immediately or to flush any pending writes).
  • stream.Readable — Either @@dispose() or @@asyncDispose() as an alias or wrapper for destroy().
  • ... and many others in net, readline, tls, udp, and worker_threads.

Meeting Notes

TODO

The following is a high-level list of tasks to progress through each stage of the TC39 proposal process:

Stage 1 Entrance Criteria

  • Identified a "champion" who will advance the addition.
  • Prose outlining the problem or need and the general shape of a solution.
  • Illustrative examples of usage.
  • High-level API.

Stage 2 Entrance Criteria

Stage 3 Entrance Criteria

Stage 4 Entrance Criteria

  • Test262 acceptance tests have been written for mainline usage scenarios and merged.
  • Two compatible implementations which pass the acceptance tests: [1], [2].
  • A pull request has been sent to tc39/ecma262 with the integrated spec text.
  • The ECMAScript editor has signed off on the pull request.

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ECMAScript Async Explicit Resource Management

tc39.es/proposal-async-explicit-resource-management/

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