[boost] cpp-netlib & pion-net

From: Michael Dickey (mike_at_[hidden])
Date: 2008-03-22 12:37:55

I started writing the Pion Network Library (first called "libpion")  
almost a year ago to start learning Boost and to help fill a need I've  
repeatedly encountered over the past decade.  There are several good  
third-party networking libraries available for C++, but none that took  
advantage of Boost and the new ASIO library that will be included in  
version 1.35.  I have a lot of experience working with HTTP, and  
needed to develop (for the third time in my career) a lightweight HTTP  
server interface.

Although I planned to release libpion as open source, I never gave  
much thought to submitting it for review to be included in Boost.   
Over time, and with support and encouragement from the community, my  
desire to do this grew. I've also been keeping up with the cpp-netlib  
project on SourceForge, which shares the same goal.  For several  
months we've been kicking around the idea of merging our efforts.

Today, I've decided to commit to winding down the Pion Network Library  
as an independent project, and merging all the code (about 15,000  
lines) into the cpp-netlib project.  This is going to be a gradual  
conversion and refactoring of code, adopting it into the framework and  
styles that have been established by the cpp-netlib folks.  My goals  
will be to enhance cpp-netlib so that it is functionally equivalent to  
the current Pion Network Library (with asynchronous and synchronous  
HTTP 1.0 and 1.1 client and server-side support), and to help prepare  
cpp-netlib for inclusion in the next major Boost release.

I expect that the transition will take at least 3 to 6 months.   
Because there are several entities actively using the Pion Network  
Library (including my own company, Atomic Labs), I plan to continue  
developing and enhancing it as an independent project at least until  
the transition has been fully completed.

Dean, Glyn and I are excited about merging the two projects and  
developer communities, and I am happy to be part of what is now the  
definitive candidate for a Boost networking protocol library.

Take care,
-Mike