[Idea]: achieve feature parity with async.js

[kgryte]

Idea

Currently, stdlib has a limited set of dedicated "async" APIs for performing various utility operations. The goal of this idea is to achieve feature parity with async.js, a popular library providing callback-based async APIs.

Motivation for this idea stems from certain advantages afforded by callback-based asynchronous programming. Notable among them is superior performance and the ability to more readily return and inspect status objects.

Expected Outcomes

stdlib will have more or less 1:1 feature parity with async.js APIs.

Involved Software

async.js will serve as a reference implementation for API design. Will want to modify to match stdlib conventions.

Prerequisite Knowledge

JavaScript.

Difficulty

Beginner. Would benefit from someone with JavaScript experience.

Project Length

175/350 hours. Can be scoped accordingly.

Potential Mentors

@kgryte @Planeshifter @steff456

[kgryte]

This idea has as a prerequisite the refactoring of at least one async API to demonstrate the desired approach of returning an object which can query in-flight async operation status. Performing such a refactoring should be straightforward, but needs to be done beforehand in order to clearly provide a reference implementation and to prevent unnecessary refactoring work in the future.