Begin -> consume -> correlate/respond -> endEndpoint handlers
Source and sink endpoint contracts for C++ Boost. The exact generated signature follows connector type, endpoint direction, protocol mode, input type, result type, and error type.
When to use
Use this page while implementing a generated business function or endpoint handler.
Behavior
- A source endpoint converts transport input into graph values. A sink endpoint converts graph values into transport requests and optionally emits responses back into the graph.
- Begin creates state, consume performs the protocol conversion, result correlation handles asynchronous graph responses, and end releases resources.
- When an Input and Sink share a request/response endpoint, generated soft associations coordinate the protocol boundary but do not replace persisted stream links.
Result correlation
A source can emit work into the graph and wait for a later result. Register the callback under the same message ID returned by the handler correlation method. The framework uses the stream context to route the result back to the pending request.
Workflow and activity endpoints
Where Temporal is supported, the endpoint configuration determines whether generated code binds the function as a workflow or an activity. This is endpoint behavior; it does not introduce an additional stream type.
Source lifecycle
Common lifecycle phases; names below are normalized for readability.
concurrencyKafka sourceLimits concurrently processed records. 0 means no handler-level limit; Kafka partitioning still bounds work.
begin requestSource lifecycleCreates request-local state and may return an updated message context before any input is emitted.
consume messageSource lifecycleDecodes the transport request or record, emits values through the source stream context, and optionally registers result correlation.
get message IDSource correlationReturns the stable key used to route a downstream result back to the request that emitted the input. Return an empty value when no result routing is used.
end requestSource lifecycleRuns after completion or failure and releases request-local resources. It receives the first lifecycle error.
EOFStreaming gRPC sourceSignals that the client has finished sending request messages while the RPC may still be waiting for graph results.
C++ Boost signatures
Concrete methods and helpers exposed by this runtime.
beginRequest(MessageContext, stream) -> BeginResult<State>C++ sourceStarts an inbound interaction and creates its state.
consumeMessage(context, stream, State&, request, result[, sender])C++ sourceMaps Boost/gRPC/Kafka input to typed graph values.
getMessageId(context, stream, State&, result) -> std::stringC++ sourceCorrelates a graph result with the pending request.
eof(context, stream, State&)Streaming gRPC sourceHandles completion of the client request stream.
endRequest(context, stream, std::exception_ptr, State&)C++ lifecyclePerforms non-throwing cleanup.
ResultContext::setResultCallback / doneC++ source helperRegisters result callbacks and closes synchronous production.
beginRequest / consumeMessage / handleResponse / endRequestC++ sinkBuilds outbound calls and emits decoded results or errors.
Sink lifecycle
Outbound lifecycle phases used when supported by the selected connector.
begin requestSink lifecycleCreates state for one outbound interaction and may enrich the message context.
consume messageSink lifecycleMaps a graph value to the transport request, sends it, or writes a Kafka record.
handle responseHTTP or gRPC sinkConverts a transport response to the sink result stream and can emit a typed error.
get stream IDKafka sink correlationSelects the message context or correlation identifier attached to the outbound record when the generated signature requires it.
end requestSink lifecycleFinalizes the interaction after success or failure and releases request-local resources.
Shared endpoint types
Roles repeated across transport-specific generated signatures.
Handler statePer request or recordState returned by the begin method and passed to every later lifecycle method. Use it instead of storing request-specific data on the singleton handler.
Source stream contextGraph boundaryEmits decoded input values and typed endpoint errors into the graph.
Sink stream contextGraph boundaryEmits decoded transport responses and typed endpoint errors from an outbound endpoint.
Result contextAsync correlationRegisters callbacks by message ID and marks synchronous request production complete.
SenderStreaming transportSends protocol responses or requests without exposing the connector implementation.
Transport-specific values
Connector adapters currently exposed by this framework.
HTTPBoost.Beast and Boost.JSONGenerated server/client adapters provide request bodies, responses, and routing.
gRPCBoost.Asio + gRPC adaptersSupports unary and all streaming directions with typed senders and result contexts.
Kafkalibrdkafka `ConsumerMessage`Use markMessage or the generated delivery contract at the processing point required by the application.
Cronlibcron endpoint integrationActivates the configured input endpoint on its schedule.
Local source/sinkCustom endpoint contractsConnects application-owned asynchronous I/O to the generated graph.
Generated extension pattern
result.setResultCallback(messageId, [result](auto context, auto&, State&, const auto&) mutable {
result.done();
return true;
});