Clojure core.async Evolution by Alex Miller #FnConf 2025

Alex Miller discusses the history of Clojure's core.async library and how virtual threads in Java 21 impact its implementation.

The Clojure core.async library has been a cornerstone for asynchronous and concurrent programming in Clojure for many years. core.async features ""go blocks"" which transform ordinary Clojure code into pausable state machines through compile-time analysis, allowing code execution to be multiplexed over a pool. This advanced use of Clojure macros enables the same code to execute on both the JVM and in JavaScript. With the advent of virtual threads (Project Loom) in Java 21, the JVM has provided a new implementation option for core.async go blocks. Join to learn more about Clojure's core.async, go blocks, and the path forward for a simpler and more powerful implementation on the JVM, which retains core.async API compatibility for users. More details: confengine.com/conferences/functional-conf-2025/proposal/213… Conference Link: functionalconf.com