Tas.js

Tas makes the code structure clear, turning async code to sync, reducing the levels, avoiding callback hell / pyramid, is better than Promise, and can be used in Node.js and in browsers.

The tasks written by Tas do not need to use Promise / resolve / reject, generator / yield, async / await, so Tas is easier to use than Promise. And, also Tas is faster than Promise and promise libraries (Why).

Tas is a lightweight JavaScript logic framework (only 3KB gzipped), with no dependency. Tas is the abbreviation of "tasks".

Easy to Use

Zero learning costs. Using the basic syntax of JavaScript, you can write the vast majority of tasks.
There is no need to write the tasks in the form of a callback, just in logical order.
Pass the data via return or this to the next function or tasks naturally.

Install

In Node.js:

$ npm install tas --save

In Web / RequireJS:

Download Tas.js or Tas.min.js.

Quick Examples

Sync Tasks

With Tas, we can turn complex logic or high-coupling logic into a set of mini-tasks. All mini-tasks are executed one by one.

tas("My first tasks", {
    t1: function () {
        return [1, 2, 3];
    },
    t2: function(a, b, c){
        console.log(a, b, c); // 1 2 3
        return [4, 5, 6];
    }
});

tas("My Second tasks", {
    t3: {
        t4: function (a, b, c) {
            console.log(a, b, c); // 4 5 6
            return [7, 8, 9];
        }
    },
    t5: {
        t6: function (a, b, c) {
            console.log(a, b, c); // 7 8 9
        }
    }
});

Async Tasks

With Tas, we can write async code like writing sync code, easily avoiding callback hell / pyramid. All async tasks and sync tasks will be executed in the order we have written.

var a = 0;

tas.await(function(){
    a ++; // 1
  
    setTimeout(function(){      
        a ++; // 2
        tas.next();
    }, 1000);
});

// This task is executed after the previous async task execution is completed.
// This proves that all tasks are executed in the order we have written.
tas(function(){
    a ++ ; // 3
    console.log(a); // 3
})

As Promise

We can use Tas as if using Promise. The tasks written by Tas do not need to use Promise / resolve / reject, generator / yield, async / await, so Tas is easier to use than Promise and promise libraries.

tas.promise(function(){
    // Use this.done to pass the data 
    ajax.get('https://api.github.com', this.done);
});

tas(function (err, data) {
    if (err) {
        console.log(err);
    }
    else {
        console.log(data);
    }
});

Modularization

With Tas, when all dependencies (even including async module) execution are completed, the current module will get theire results. Everything becomes sync execution, no callback hell / pyramid.

a.js (dependency)

var tas = require('tas');
var a = 0;

tas.await(function(){
    a ++; // 1
      
    setTimeout(function(){
        a ++; // 2
        tas.next();
    }, 1000);
});

tas(function(){
    a ++; // 3
});

module.exports = {
    get: function(){
        return a; // 3
    }
};

b.js (dependency)

var tas = require('tas');
var a = 2;

tas.await(function(){
    a ++; // 3

    setTimeout(function(){
        a ++; // 4
        tas.next();
    }, 500);
});

tas(function(){
    a ++; // 5
})

module.exports = {
    get: function(){
        return a; // 5
    }
};

calc.js (depends on a.js and b.js)

var tas = require('tas');

// The tasks in a.js and b.js are executed in the order we have written.
var ma = require('./a');
var mb = require('./b');

// This task will be executed after all tasks are completed.
tas(function(){
    var a = ma.get(); // 3
    var b = mb.get(); // 5
    console.log(a + b); // 8
});

Full Examples

Clone the Tas repo first:

$ cd /path/to
$ git clone https://github.com/tasjs/tas.git

For Node.js

Run the test of examples in Node.js:

$ cd /path/to/tas/examples
$ node nodejs/__tas/test.js

Or view the source code of the examples online:

Folder	Topic	Example	Test
1. Pass the data	1. Hello world	Example	Test
1. Pass the data	2. Via return	Example	Test
1. Pass the data	3. Via this	Example	Test
1. Pass the data	4. Via tas	Example	Test
2. Async tasks	1. Async tasks	Example	Test
2. Async tasks	2. Mix tasks	Example	Test
2. Async tasks	3. The order of tasks	Example	Test
2. Async tasks	4. Fix callback hell (pyramid)	Example	Test
3. As Promise	1. Easier to use than Promise	Example	Test
3. As Promise	2. Use tas.all() as Promise.all()	Example	Test
3. As Promise	3. Use tas.race() as Promise.race()	Example	Test
3. As Promise	4. Cancel the unfinished tasks	Example	Test
3. As Promise	5. Use tas.forEach()	Example	Test
4. Break the flow	1. Ignore the current function	Example	Test
4. Break the flow	2. Break the current tasks	Example	Test
4. Break the flow	3. Abort Tas	Example	Test
4. Break the flow	4. Reset Tas	Example	Test
5. Modularization	1. Common module	A.js	Test
5. Modularization	2. Multiple modules	A.js, B.js	Test
5. Modularization	3. Dependent chain	A.js, B.js, C.js, D.js	Test
6. Complex	1. A crazy example	Example	Test

For Web

Run the test of examples in your browser:

$ cd /path/to/tas/examples
$ open web/__tas/test.html

Or view the source code of the examples online:

Folder	Topic	Example	Test
1. Pass the data	1. Hello world	Example	Test
1. Pass the data	2. Via return	Example	Test
1. Pass the data	3. Via this	Example	Test
1. Pass the data	4. Via tas	Example	Test
2. Async tasks	1. Async tasks	Example	Test
2. Async tasks	2. Mix tasks	Example	Test
2. Async tasks	3. The order of tasks	Example	Test
2. Async tasks	4. Fix callback hell (pyramid)	Example	Test
3. As Promise	1. Easier to use than Promise	Example	Test
3. As Promise	2. Use tas.all() as Promise.all()	Example	Test
3. As Promise	3. Use tas.race() as Promise.race()	Example	Test
3. As Promise	4. Cancel the unfinished tasks	Example	Test
3. As Promise	5. Use tas.forEach()	Example	Test
4. Break the flow	1. Ignore the current function	Example	Test
4. Break the flow	2. Break the current tasks	Example	Test
4. Break the flow	3. Abort Tas	Example	Test
4. Break the flow	4. Reset Tas	Example	Test
5. Modularization	1. Common module	A.js	Test
5. Modularization	2. Multiple modules	A.js, B.js	Test
5. Modularization	3. Dependent chain	A.js, B.js, C.js, D.js	Test
6. Complex	1. A crazy example	Example	Test

For Web RequireJS

Run the test of examples in your browser:

$ cd /path/to/tas/examples
$ open web_requirejs/__tas/test.html

Or view the source code of the examples online:

Folder	Topic	Example	Test
1. Pass the data	1. Hello world	Example	Test
1. Pass the data	2. Via return	Example	Test
1. Pass the data	3. Via this	Example	Test
1. Pass the data	4. Via tas	Example	Test
2. Async tasks	1. Async tasks	Example	Test
2. Async tasks	2. Mix tasks	Example	Test
2. Async tasks	3. The order of tasks	Example	Test
2. Async tasks	4. Fix callback hell (pyramid)	Example	Test
3. As Promise	1. Easier to use than Promise	Example	Test
3. As Promise	2. Use tas.all() as Promise.all()	Example	Test
3. As Promise	3. Use tas.race() as Promise.race()	Example	Test
3. As Promise	4. Cancel the unfinished tasks	Example	Test
3. As Promise	5. Use tas.forEach()	Example	Test
4. Break the flow	1. Ignore the current function	Example	Test
4. Break the flow	2. Break the current tasks	Example	Test
4. Break the flow	3. Abort Tas	Example	Test
4. Break the flow	4. Reset Tas	Example	Test
5. Modularization	1. Common module	A.js	Test
5. Modularization	2. Multiple modules	A.js, B.js	Test
5. Modularization	3. Dependent chain	A.js, B.js, C.js, D.js	Test
6. Complex	1. A crazy example	Example	Test

APIs Examples

Tas provides a small amount of APIs to control the flow, and they are simple and easy to use, so you can focus on the code itself without wasting time on mastering Tas.

For Node.js

Pass The Data

API	Functions	Example	Test
return [1, 2, 3]	Pass 1, 2, 3 to the next function or tasks.	Example	Test
this.foo = "bar"	The data is valid for the functions in the current task object.	Example	Test
tas.foo = "bar"	The data is valid for the functions in all tasks and modules.	Example	Test

Async Tasks

API	Functions	Example	Test
return "await"	Used in one of a group of sync tasks.	Example	Test
tas.await()	If the tasks/subtasks contains async code, use it.	Example	Test
tas.next()	Jump to the next function or tasks to continue.	Example	Test

As Promise

API	Functions	Example	Test
tas.promise()	After this tasks is completed, continue.	Example	Test
tas.all()	After all tasks are completed, continue.	Example	Test
tas.race()	As long as one of tasks is completed, continue.	Example	Test
tas.cancel()	Manually cancel the unfinished task(s).	Example	Test
tas.forEach()	Perform a set of tasks for each array element.	Example	Test
this.done	Pass the data received from promise to the next task.	Example	Test

Break The Flow

API	Functions	Example	Test
return "ignore"	Ignore the current function.	Example	Test
return "break"	Break the current tasks.	Example	Test
return "abort"	Abort Tas.	Example	Test
tas.break()	Break the current tasks from nested function (closures).	Example	Test
tas.abort()	Abort Tas from nested function (closures).	Example	Test
tas.reset()	Reset the status of Tas for running again.	Example	Test

For Web

Pass The Data

API	Functions	Example	Test
return [1, 2, 3]	Pass 1, 2, 3 to the next function or tasks.	Example	Test
this.foo = "bar"	The data is valid for the functions in the current task object.	Example	Test
tas.foo = "bar"	The data is valid for the functions in all tasks and modules.	Example	Test

Async Tasks

API	Functions	Example	Test
return "await"	Used in one of a group of sync tasks.	Example	Test
tas.await()	If the tasks/subtasks contains async code, use it.	Example	Test
tas.next()	Jump to the next function or tasks to continue.	Example	Test

As Promise

API	Functions	Example	Test
tas.promise()	After this tasks is completed, continue.	Example	Test
tas.all()	After all tasks are completed, continue.	Example	Test
tas.race()	As long as one of tasks is completed, continue.	Example	Test
tas.cancel()	Manually cancel the unfinished task(s).	Example	Test
tas.forEach()	Perform a set of tasks for each array element.	Example	Test
this.done	Pass the data received from promise to the next task.	Example	Test

Break The Flow

API	Functions	Example	Test
return "ignore"	Ignore the current function.	Example	Test
return "break"	Break the current tasks.	Example	Test
return "abort"	Abort Tas.	Example	Test
tas.break()	Break the current tasks from nested function (closures).	Example	Test
tas.abort()	Abort Tas from nested function (closures).	Example	Test
tas.reset()	Reset the status of Tas for running again.	Example	Test

For Web RequireJS

Pass The Data

API	Functions	Example	Test
return [1, 2, 3]	Pass 1, 2, 3 to the next function or tasks.	Example	Test
this.foo = "bar"	The data is valid for the functions in the current task object.	Example	Test
tas.foo = "bar"	The data is valid for the functions in all tasks and modules.	Example	Test

Async Tasks

API	Functions	Example	Test
return "await"	Used in one of a group of sync tasks.	Example	Test
tas.await()	If the tasks/subtasks contains async code, use it.	Example	Test
tas.next()	Jump to the next function or tasks to continue.	Example	Test

As Promise

API	Functions	Example	Test
tas.promise()	After this tasks is completed, continue.	Example	Test
tas.all()	After all tasks are completed, continue.	Example	Test
tas.race()	As long as one of tasks is completed, continue.	Example	Test
tas.cancel()	Manually cancel the unfinished task(s).	Example	Test
tas.forEach()	Perform a set of tasks for each array element.	Example	Test
this.done	Pass the data received from promise to the next task.	Example	Test

Break The Flow

API	Functions	Example	Test
return "ignore"	Ignore the current function.	Example	Test
return "break"	Break the current tasks.	Example	Test
return "abort"	Abort Tas.	Example	Test
tas.break()	Break the current tasks from nested function (closures).	Example	Test
tas.abort()	Abort Tas from nested function (closures).	Example	Test
tas.reset()	Reset the status of Tas for running again.	Example	Test

Test

Clone the Tas repo (if you have not done so yet):

$ cd /path/to
$ git clone https://github.com/tasjs/tas.git

With Mocha

$ cd /path/to/tas
$ npm test

In Node.JS

Test with Node.js

$ cd /path/to/tas/test
$ node nodejs/test.js

In Web

Test in your browser:

$ cd /path/to/tas/test
$ open web/test.html

In Web RequireJS

Test in your browser:

$ cd /path/to/tas/test
$ open web_requirejs/test.html

Why is Tas faster than Promise?

Tas does not use setTimeout or similar methods recommended by the Promise standard. With no delay, Tas is faster than Promise and promise libraries such as bluebird, Q, aigle, when.js, etc.

References:

[1] "This can be implemented with either a 'macro-task' mechanism such as setTimeout or setImmediate, or with a 'micro-task' mechanism such as MutationObserver or process.nextTick." See details

[2] "Modern browsers impose a minimum delay of 4ms on every setTimeout, regardless of how long you specify. " See details

[3] "setImmediate() is designed to execute a script once the current poll phase completes." See details

[4] "All callbacks scheduled via process.nextTick() are run at the end of a phase of the event loop (e.g. timers) before transitioning to the next phase. " See details

License

MIT

hog110/tas

Tas.js

Easy to Use

Install

Quick Examples

Sync Tasks

Async Tasks

As Promise

Modularization

Full Examples

For Node.js

For Web

For Web RequireJS

APIs Examples

For Node.js

For Web

For Web RequireJS

Test

With Mocha

In Node.JS

In Web

In Web RequireJS

Why is Tas faster than Promise?

License