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React/Promise

A lightweight implementation of CommonJS Promises/A for PHP.

CI status installs on Packagist

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Concepts
  3. API
  4. Examples
  5. Credits
  6. License

Introduction

React/Promise is a library implementing CommonJS Promises/A for PHP.

It also provides several other useful Promise-related concepts, such as joining multiple Promises and mapping and reducing collections of Promises.

If you've never heard about Promises before, read this first.

Concepts

Deferred

A Deferred represents a computation or unit of work that may not have completed yet. Typically (but not always), that computation will be something that executes asynchronously and completes at some point in the future.

Promise

While a Deferred represents the computation itself, a Promise represents the result of that computation. Thus, each Deferred has a Promise that acts as a placeholder for its actual result.

Resolver

A Resolver can resolve, reject or trigger progress notifications on behalf of a Deferred without knowing any details about consumers.

Sometimes it can be useful to hand out a resolver and allow another (possibly untrusted) party to provide the resolution value for a Promise.

API

Deferred

A deferred represents an operation whose resolution is pending. It has separate Promise and Resolver parts that can be safely given out to separate groups of consumers and producers to allow safe, one-way communication.

$deferred = new React\Promise\Deferred();

$promise  = $deferred->promise();
$resolver = $deferred->resolver();

Although a Deferred has the full Promise + Resolver API, this should be used for convenience only by the creator of the deferred. Only the Promise and Resolver should be given to consumers and producers.

$deferred = new React\Promise\Deferred();

$deferred->then(callable $fulfilledHandler = null, callable $errorHandler = null, callable $progressHandler = null);
$deferred->resolve(mixed $promiseOrValue = null);
$deferred->reject(mixed $reason = null);
$deferred->progress(mixed $update = null);

The constructor of the Deferred accepts an optional $canceller argument. See Promise for more information.

$deferred = new React\Promise\Deferred(function ($resolve, $reject, $progress) {
    throw new \Exception('Promise cancelled');
});

$deferred->cancel();

Promise

The Promise represents the eventual outcome, which is either fulfillment (success) and an associated value, or rejection (failure) and an associated reason. The Promise provides mechanisms for arranging to call a function on its value or reason, and produces a new Promise for the result.

Creates a promise whose state is controlled by the functions passed to $resolver.

$resolver = function (callable $resolve, callable $reject, callable $notify) {
    // Do some work, possibly asynchronously, and then
    // resolve or reject. You can notify of progress events
    // along the way if you want/need.

    $resolve($awesomeResult);
    // or $resolve($anotherPromise);
    // or $reject($nastyError);
    // or $notify($progressNotification);
};

$canceller = function (callable $resolve, callable $reject, callable $progress) {
    // Cancel/abort any running operations like network connections, streams etc.

    $reject(new \Exception('Promise cancelled'));
};

$promise = new React\Promise\Promise($resolver, $canceller);

The promise constructor receives a resolver function which will be called immediately with 3 arguments:

  • $resolve($value) - Primary function that seals the fate of the returned promise. Accepts either a non-promise value, or another promise. When called with a non-promise value, fulfills promise with that value. When called with another promise, e.g. $resolve($otherPromise), promise's fate will be equivalent to that of $otherPromise.
  • $reject($reason) - Function that rejects the promise.
  • $notify($update) - Function that issues progress events for the promise.

If the resolver throws an exception, the promise will be rejected with that thrown exception as the rejection reason.

The resolver function will be called immediately, the canceller function only once all consumers called the cancel() method of the promise.

A Promise has a single method then() which registers new fulfilled, error and progress handlers with this Promise (all parameters are optional):

$newPromise = $promise->then(callable $fulfilledHandler = null, callable $errorHandler = null, callable $progressHandler = null);
  • $fulfilledHandler will be invoked once the Promise is fulfilled and passed the result as the first argument.
  • $errorHandler will be invoked once the Promise is rejected and passed the reason as the first argument.
  • $progressHandler will be invoked whenever the producer of the Promise triggers progress notifications and passed a single argument (whatever it wants) to indicate progress.

Returns a new Promise that will fulfill with the return value of either $fulfilledHandler or $errorHandler, whichever is called, or will reject with the thrown exception if either throws.

Once in the fulfilled or rejected state, a Promise becomes immutable. Neither its state nor its result (or error) can be modified.

A Promise makes the following guarantees about handlers registered in the same call to then():

  1. Only one of $fulfilledHandler or $errorHandler will be called, never both.
  2. $fulfilledHandler and $errorHandler will never be called more than once.
  3. $progressHandler may be called multiple times.

See also

Resolver

The Resolver represents the responsibility of fulfilling, rejecting and notifying the associated Promise.

A Resolver has 3 methods: resolve(), reject() and progress():

$resolver->resolve(mixed $result = null);

Resolves a Deferred. All consumers are notified by having their $fulfilledHandler (which they registered via $promise->then()) called with $result.

If $result itself is a promise, the Deferred will transition to the state of this promise once it is resolved.

$resolver->reject(mixed $reason = null);

Rejects a Deferred, signalling that the Deferred's computation failed. All consumers are notified by having their $errorHandler (which they registered via $promise->then()) called with $reason.

If $reason itself is a promise, the Deferred will be rejected with the outcome of this promise regardless whether it fulfills or rejects.

$resolver->progress(mixed $update = null);

Triggers progress notifications, to indicate to consumers that the computation is making progress toward its result.

All consumers are notified by having their $progressHandler (which they registered via $promise->then()) called with $update.

Functions

Useful functions for creating, joining, mapping and reducing collections of promises.

resolve()

$promise = React\Promise\resolve(mixed $promiseOrValue);

Creates a promise for the supplied $promiseOrValue.

If $promiseOrValue is a value, it will be the resolution value of the returned promise.

If $promiseOrValue is a promise, it will simply be returned.

Note: The promise returned is always a promise implementing ExtendedPromiseInterface. If you pass in a custom promise which only implements PromiseInterface, this promise will be assimilated to a extended promise following $promiseOrValue.

reject()

$promise = React\Promise\reject(mixed $promiseOrValue);

Creates a rejected promise for the supplied $promiseOrValue.

If $promiseOrValue is a value, it will be the rejection value of the returned promise.

If $promiseOrValue is a promise, its completion value will be the rejected value of the returned promise.

This can be useful in situations where you need to reject a promise without throwing an exception. For example, it allows you to propagate a rejection with the value of another promise.

all()

$promise = React\Promise\all(array|React\Promise\PromiseInterface $promisesOrValues);

Returns a promise that will resolve only once all the items in $promisesOrValues have resolved. The resolution value of the returned promise will be an array containing the resolution values of each of the items in $promisesOrValues.

race()

$promise = React\Promise\race(array|React\Promise\PromiseInterface $promisesOrValues);

Initiates a competitive race that allows one winner. Returns a promise which is resolved in the same way the first settled promise resolves.

any()

$promise = React\Promise\any(array|React\Promise\PromiseInterface $promisesOrValues);

Returns a promise that will resolve when any one of the items in $promisesOrValues resolves. The resolution value of the returned promise will be the resolution value of the triggering item.

The returned promise will only reject if all items in $promisesOrValues are rejected. The rejection value will be an array of all rejection reasons.

some()

$promise = React\Promise\some(array|React\Promise\PromiseInterface $promisesOrValues, integer $howMany);

Returns a promise that will resolve when $howMany of the supplied items in $promisesOrValues resolve. The resolution value of the returned promise will be an array of length $howMany containing the resolution values of the triggering items.

The returned promise will reject if it becomes impossible for $howMany items to resolve (that is, when (count($promisesOrValues) - $howMany) + 1 items reject). The rejection value will be an array of (count($promisesOrValues) - $howMany) + 1 rejection reasons.

map()

$promise = React\Promise\map(array|React\Promise\PromiseInterface $promisesOrValues, callable $mapFunc);

Traditional map function, similar to array_map(), but allows input to contain promises and/or values, and $mapFunc may return either a value or a promise.

The map function receives each item as argument, where item is a fully resolved value of a promise or value in $promisesOrValues.

reduce()

$promise = React\Promise\reduce(array|React\Promise\PromiseInterface $promisesOrValues, callable $reduceFunc , $initialValue = null);

Traditional reduce function, similar to array_reduce(), but input may contain promises and/or values, and $reduceFunc may return either a value or a promise, and $initialValue may be a promise or a value for the starting value.

When

The React\Promise\When class provides useful methods for creating, joining, mapping and reducing collections of Promises.

Note: Since version 1.1 React\Promise\When acts only as a proxy for the Promise functions and its usage is discouraged.

When::all()

$promise = React\Promise\When::all(array|React\Promise\PromiseInterface $promisesOrValues, callable $fulfilledHandler = null, callable $errorHandler = null, callable $progressHandler = null);

Note: Since version 1.1, React\Promise\all() is preferred over React\Promise\When::all().

Returns a Promise that will resolve only once all the items in $promisesOrValues have resolved. The resolution value of the returned Promise will be an array containing the resolution values of each of the items in $promisesOrValues.

When::any()

$promise = React\Promise\When::any(array|React\Promise\PromiseInterface $promisesOrValues, callable $fulfilledHandler = null, callable $errorHandler = null, callable $progressHandler = null);

Note: Since version 1.1, React\Promise\any() is preferred over React\Promise\When::any().

Returns a Promise that will resolve when any one of the items in $promisesOrValues resolves. The resolution value of the returned Promise will be the resolution value of the triggering item.

The returned Promise will only reject if all items in $promisesOrValues are rejected. The rejection value will be an array of all rejection reasons.

When::some()

$promise = React\Promise\When::some(array|React\Promise\PromiseInterface $promisesOrValues, integer $howMany, callable $fulfilledHandler = null, callable $errorHandler = null, callable $progressHandler = null);

Note: Since version 1.1, React\Promise\some() is preferred over React\Promise\When::some().

Returns a Promise that will resolve when $howMany of the supplied items in $promisesOrValues resolve. The resolution value of the returned Promise will be an array of length $howMany containing the resolution values of the triggering items.

The returned Promise will reject if it becomes impossible for $howMany items to resolve (that is, when (count($promisesOrValues) - $howMany) + 1 items reject). The rejection value will be an array of (count($promisesOrValues) - $howMany) + 1 rejection reasons.

When::map()

$promise = React\Promise\When::map(array|React\Promise\PromiseInterface $promisesOrValues, callable $mapFunc);

Note: Since version 1.1, React\Promise\map() is preferred over React\Promise\When::map().

Traditional map function, similar to array_map(), but allows input to contain Promises and/or values, and $mapFunc may return either a value or a Promise.

The map function receives each item as argument, where item is a fully resolved value of a Promise or value in $promisesOrValues.

When::reduce()

$promise = React\Promise\When::reduce(array|React\Promise\PromiseInterface $promisesOrValues, callable $reduceFunc , $initialValue = null);

Note: Since version 1.1, React\Promise\reduce() is preferred over React\Promise\When::reduce().

Traditional reduce function, similar to array_reduce(), but input may contain Promises and/or values, and $reduceFunc may return either a value or a Promise, and $initialValue may be a Promise or a value for the starting value.

When::resolve()

$promise = React\Promise\When::resolve(mixed $promiseOrValue);

Note: Since version 1.1, React\Promise\resolve() is preferred over React\Promise\When::resolve().

Creates a resolved Promise for the supplied $promiseOrValue.

If $promiseOrValue is a value, it will be the resolution value of the returned Promise.

If $promiseOrValue is a Promise, it will simply be returned.

When::reject()

$promise = React\Promise\When::reject(mixed $promiseOrValue);

Note: Since version 1.1, React\Promise\reject() is preferred over React\Promise\When::reject().

Creates a rejected Promise for the supplied $promiseOrValue.

If $promiseOrValue is a value, it will be the rejection value of the returned Promise.

If $promiseOrValue is a Promise, its completion value will be the rejected value of the returned Promise.

This can be useful in situations where you need to reject a Promise without throwing an exception. For example, it allows you to propagate a rejection with the value of another Promise.

When::lazy()

$promise = React\Promise\When::lazy(callable $factory);

Creates a Promise which will be lazily initialized by $factory once a consumer calls the then() method.

$factory = function () {
    $deferred = new React\Promise\Deferred();

    // Do some heavy stuff here and resolve the Deferred once completed

    return $deferred->promise();
};

$promise = React\Promise\When::lazy($factory);

// $factory will only be executed once we call then()
$promise->then(function ($value) {
});

Promisor

The React\Promise\PromisorInterface provides a common interface for objects that provide a promise. React\Promise\Deferred implements it, but since it is part of the public API anyone can implement it.

CancellablePromiseInterface

A cancellable promise provides a mechanism for consumers to notify the creator of the promise that they are not longer interested in the result of an operation.

CancellablePromiseInterface::cancel()

$promise->cancel();

The cancel() method notifies the creator of the promise that there is no further interest in the results of the operation.

Once a promise is settled (either resolved or rejected), calling cancel() on a promise has no effect.

Implementations

Examples

How to use Deferred

function getAwesomeResultPromise()
{
    $deferred = new React\Promise\Deferred();

    // Pass only the Resolver, to provide the resolution value for the Promise
    computeAwesomeResultAsynchronously($deferred->resolver());

    // Return only the Promise, so that the caller cannot
    // resolve, reject, or otherwise muck with the original Deferred.
    return $deferred->promise();
}

getAwesomeResultPromise()
    ->then(
        function ($result) {
            // Deferred resolved, do something with $result
        },
        function ($reason) {
            // Deferred rejected, do something with $reason
        },
        function ($update) {
            // Progress notification triggered, do something with $update
        }
    );

How Promise forwarding works

A few simple examples to show how the mechanics of Promises/A forwarding works. These examples are contrived, of course, and in real usage, Promise chains will typically be spread across several function calls, or even several levels of your application architecture.

Resolution forwarding

Resolved Promises forward resolution values to the next Promise. The first Promise, $deferred->promise(), will resolve with the value passed to $deferred->resolve() below.

Each call to then() returns a new Promise that will resolve with the return value of the previous handler. This creates a Promise "pipeline".

$deferred = new React\Promise\Deferred();

$deferred->promise()
    ->then(function ($x) {
        // $x will be the value passed to $deferred->resolve() below
        // and returns a *new Promise* for $x + 1
        return $x + 1;
    })
    ->then(function ($x) {
        // $x === 2
        // This handler receives the return value of the
        // previous handler.
        return $x + 1;
    })
    ->then(function ($x) {
        // $x === 3
        // This handler receives the return value of the
        // previous handler.
        return $x + 1;
    })
    ->then(function ($x) {
        // $x === 4
        // This handler receives the return value of the
        // previous handler.
        echo 'Resolve ' . $x;
    });

$deferred->resolve(1); // Prints "Resolve 4"

Rejection forwarding

Rejected Promises behave similarly, and also work similarly to try/catch: When you catch an exception, you must rethrow for it to propagate.

Similarly, when you handle a rejected Promise, to propagate the rejection, "rethrow" it by either returning a rejected Promise, or actually throwing (since Promise translates thrown exceptions into rejections)

$deferred = new React\Promise\Deferred();

$deferred->promise()
    ->then(function ($x) {
        throw new \Exception($x + 1);
    })
    ->then(null, function (\Exception $x) {
        // Propagate the rejection
        throw $x;
    })
    ->then(null, function (\Exception $x) {
        // Can also propagate by returning another rejection
        return React\Promise\When::reject((integer) $x->getMessage() + 1);
    })
    ->then(null, function ($x) {
        echo 'Reject ' . $x; // 3
    });

$deferred->resolve(1);  // Prints "Reject 3"

Mixed resolution and rejection forwarding

Just like try/catch, you can choose to propagate or not. Mixing resolutions and rejections will still forward handler results in a predictable way.

$deferred = new React\Promise\Deferred();

$deferred->promise()
    ->then(function ($x) {
        return $x + 1;
    })
    ->then(function ($x) {
        throw \Exception($x + 1);
    })
    ->then(null, function (\Exception $x) {
        // Handle the rejection, and don't propagate.
        // This is like catch without a rethrow
        return (integer) $x->getMessage() + 1;
    })
    ->then(function ($x) {
        echo 'Mixed ' . $x; // 4
    });

$deferred->resolve(1);  // Prints "Mixed 4"

Progress event forwarding

In the same way as resolution and rejection handlers, your progress handler MUST return a progress event to be propagated to the next link in the chain. If you return nothing, null will be propagated.

Also in the same way as resolutions and rejections, if you don't register a progress handler, the update will be propagated through.

If your progress handler throws an exception, the exception will be propagated to the next link in the chain. The best thing to do is to ensure your progress handlers do not throw exceptions.

This gives you the opportunity to transform progress events at each step in the chain so that they are meaningful to the next step. It also allows you to choose not to transform them, and simply let them propagate untransformed, by not registering a progress handler.

$deferred = new React\Promise\Deferred();

$deferred->promise()
    ->then(null, null, function ($update) {
        return $update + 1;
    })
    ->then(null, null, function ($update) {
        echo 'Progress ' . $update; // 2
    });

$deferred->progress(1);  // Prints "Progress 2"

Credits

React/Promise is a port of when.js by Brian Cavalier.

Also, large parts of the documentation have been ported from the when.js Wiki and the API docs.

License

React/Promise is released under the MIT license.