Support for Swift Concurrency (async/await)

[ondrejkorol]

What are you trying to achieve?

In our codebase, we try to leverage the latest Swift features. For asynchronous calls, we're using the new Swift concurrency framework. I see that currently, Stream Chat SDK doesn't provide async/await methods. The same goes for @ MainActor support.
As a result, we sometimes have issues connecting the rest of the codebase with Stream Chat.

Are there any plans regarding supporting Swift Concurrency?:)

If possible, how can you achieve this currently?

Currently, we can bridge completion handlers with the native APIs like withChecked(Throwing)Continuation etc. But still, there are some parts, like the handling of MainActor, that need compromises (nonisolated keywords, DispatchQueue.async.main etc)

What would be the better way?

• Provide async/await methods for asynchronous calls
• Mark UI-related classes as @ MainActor(ViewFactory)

GetStream Environment

GetStream Chat version: 4.29.0
GetStream Chat frameworks: StreamChat, StreamChatSwiftUI
iOS version: 15+
Swift version: 5
Xcode version: 14.2

[martinmitrevski]

Hi @ondrejkorol,

Thanks for reporting this. Yes, we have plans to add support for Swift Concurrency, first for StreamChat (exposing async/await methods), and then for the SwiftUI SDK.

The ETA is end by the end of Q2 (if we don't have any unplanned change of priorities).

We will update you on this ticket when this is available.

Best, Martin

[paulz]

would love to see async support, as we build new iOS16+ app

[martinmitrevski]

Since the release 4.56.0, we have a new state layer that supports Swift Concurrency: https://getstream.io/chat/docs/sdk/ios/client/state-layer/state-layer-overview/. Let us know what you think.

[ondrejkorol]

That's amazing! I'll be happy to try it out. Great work! 👏