pub.hpp

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/*!
 * \file
 * \brief Implementation of synchronous operations on top of SObjectizer.
 *
 * \since
 * v.1.3.0
 */
 
#pragma once
 
#include <so_5_extra/error_ranges.hpp>
 
#include <so_5_extra/mchains/fixed_size.hpp>
 
#include <so_5/version.hpp>
#if SO_5_VERSION < SO_5_VERSION_MAKE(5u, 7u, 3u)
#error "SObjectizer-5.7.3 is required"
#endif
 
#include <so_5/send_functions.hpp>
 
#include <so_5/details/always_false.hpp>
 
#include <variant>
 
namespace so_5 {
 
namespace extra {
 
namespace sync {
 
namespace errors {
 
/*!
 * \brief An attempt to send a new reply when the reply is already sent.
 *
 * Only one reply can be sent as a result of request_reply-interaction.
 * An attempt to send another reply is an error.
 */
const int rc_reply_was_sent =
    so_5::extra::errors::sync_errors;
 
/*!
 * \brief No reply.
 *
 * The reply has not been received after waiting for the specified time.
 */
const int rc_no_reply =
    so_5::extra::errors::sync_errors + 1;
 
} /* namespace errors */
 
namespace details
{
 
//
// ensure_no_mutability_modificators
//
/*!
 * \brief Helper class to ensure that immutable_msg/mutable_msg
 * modificators are not used.
 */
template< typename T >
struct ensure_no_mutability_modificators
    {
        using type = T;
    };
 
template< typename T >
struct ensure_no_mutability_modificators< immutable_msg<T> >
    {
        static_assert( so_5::details::always_false<T>::value,
                "so_5::immutable_msg<T> modificator can't be used with "
                "so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t" );
    };
 
template< typename T >
struct ensure_no_mutability_modificators< mutable_msg<T> >
    {
        static_assert( so_5::details::always_false<T>::value,
                "so_5::mutable_msg<T> modificator can't be used with "
                "so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t" );
    };
 
/*!
 * \brief A short form of ensure_no_mutability_modificators metafunction.
 */
template< typename T >
using ensure_no_mutability_modificators_t =
    typename ensure_no_mutability_modificators<T>::type;
 
//
// reply_target_t
//
/*!
 * \brief Type of storage for reply's target.
 *
 * A reply can be sent to a mchain or to a mbox. If a mchain is used as
 * a target then it should be closed.
 *
 * This type allow to distinguish between mchain and mbox cases.
 */
using reply_target_t = std::variant< mchain_t, mbox_t >;
 
//
// reply_target_holder_t
//
/*!
 * \brief A special holder for reply_target instance.
 *
 * This class performs the proper cleanup in the destructor: if
 * reply_target instance holds a mchain that mchain will be closed
 * automatically.
 *
 * \note
 * This class is not Moveable nor Copyable.
 */
class reply_target_holder_t final
    {
        //! The target for the reply message.
        reply_target_t m_target;
 
    public :
        reply_target_holder_t( reply_target_t target ) noexcept
            :   m_target{ std::move(target) }
            {}
 
        ~reply_target_holder_t() noexcept
            {
                struct closer_t final {
                    void operator()( const mchain_t & ch ) const noexcept {
                        // Close the reply chain.
                        // If there is no reply but someone is waiting
                        // on that chain it will be awakened.
                        // NOTE: because we're in the destructor then
                        // throwing exceptions from close_retain_content is
                        // prohibited.
                        close_retain_content( so_5::terminate_if_throws, ch );
                    }
                    void operator()( const mbox_t & ) const noexcept {
                        // Nothing to do.
                    }
                };
 
                std::visit( closer_t{}, m_target );
            }
 
        reply_target_holder_t( const reply_target_holder_t & ) = delete;
        reply_target_holder_t( reply_target_holder_t && ) = delete;
 
        //! Getter.
        const auto &
        target() const noexcept { return m_target; }
    };
 
//
// query_actual_reply_target
//
/*!
 * \brief Helper function for extraction of actual reply target
 * from reply_target instance.
 *
 * \note
 * Reply target is returned as mbox_t.
 */
inline mbox_t
query_actual_reply_target( const reply_target_t & rt ) noexcept
    {
        struct extractor_t {
            mbox_t operator()( const mchain_t & ch ) const noexcept {
                return ch->as_mbox();
            }
            mbox_t operator()( const mbox_t & mbox ) const noexcept {
                return mbox;
            }
        };
 
        return std::visit( extractor_t{}, rt );
    }
 
//
// basic_request_reply_part_t
//
/*!
 * \brief The basic part of implementation of request_reply type.
 */
template< typename Request, typename Reply >
class basic_request_reply_part_t : public so_5::message_t
    {
    public :
        //! An actual type of request.
        using request_t = ensure_no_mutability_modificators_t<Request>;
        //! An actual type of reply.
        using reply_t = ensure_no_mutability_modificators_t<Reply>;
 
    protected :
        //! Is reply moveable type?
        static constexpr const bool is_reply_moveable =
                std::is_move_assignable_v<reply_t> &&
                        std::is_move_constructible_v<reply_t>;
 
        //! Is reply copyable type?
        static constexpr const bool is_reply_copyable =
                std::is_copy_assignable_v<reply_t> &&
                        std::is_copy_constructible_v<reply_t>;
 
        static_assert( is_reply_moveable || is_reply_copyable,
                "Reply type should be MoveAssignable or CopyAssignable" );
 
        //! The target for the reply.
        reply_target_holder_t m_reply_target;
        //! The flag for detection of repeated replies.
        /*!
         * Recives `true` when the first reply is sent.
         */
        bool m_reply_sent{ false };
 
        //! Initializing constructor.
        basic_request_reply_part_t( reply_target_t reply_target ) noexcept
            :   m_reply_target{ std::move(reply_target) }
            {}
 
    public :
        ~basic_request_reply_part_t() override = default;
    };
 
//
// request_holder_part_t
//
/*!
 * \brief The type to be used as holder for request type instance.
 *
 * Has two specialization for every variant of \a is_signal parameter.
 */
template< typename Base, bool is_signal >
class request_holder_part_t;
 
/*!
 * \brief A specialization for the case when request type is not a signal.
 *
 * This specialization holds an instance of request type.
 * This instance is constructed in request_holder_part_t's constructor
 * and is accessible via getters.
 */
template< typename Base >
class request_holder_part_t<Base, false> : public Base
    {
    protected :
        //! An actual request object.
        typename Base::request_t m_request;
 
        //! Initializing constructor.
        template< typename... Args >
        request_holder_part_t(
            reply_target_t reply_target,
            Args && ...args )
            :   Base{ std::move(reply_target) }
            ,   m_request{ std::forward<Args>(args)... }
            {}
 
    public :
        //! Getter for the case of const object.
        const auto &
        request() const noexcept { return m_request; }
 
        //! Getter for the case of non-const object.
        auto &
        request() noexcept { return m_request; }
    };
 
/*!
 * \brief A specialization for the case when request type is a signal.
 *
 * There is no need to hold anything. Becase of that this type is empty.
 */
template< typename Base >
class request_holder_part_t<Base, true> : public Base
    {
    protected :
        using Base::Base;
    };
 
} /* namespace details */
 
//
// close_reply_chain_flag_t
//
/*!
 * \brief A flag to specify should the reply chain be closed automatically.
 */
enum class close_reply_chain_flag_t
    {
        //! The reply chain should be automatically closed when
        //! the corresponding request_reply_t instance is being destroyed.
        close,
        //! The reply chain shouldn't be closed even if the corresponding
        //! request_reply_t instance is destroyed.
        //! A user should close the reply chain manually.
        do_not_close
    };
 
//! The indicator that the reply chain should be closed automatically.
/*!
 * If this flag is used then the reply chain will be automatically closed when
 * the corresponding request_reply_t instance is being destroyed.
 *
 * Usage example:
 * \code
 * using my_ask_reply = so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t<my_request, my_reply>;
 * // Create the reply chain manually.
 * auto reply_ch = create_mchain(env);
 * // Issue a request.
 * my_ask_reply::initiate_with_custom_reply_to(
 *  target,
 *  reply_ch,
 *  so_5::extra::sync::close_reply_chain,
 *  ...);
 * ... // Do something.
 * // Now we can read the reply.
 * // The reply chain will be automatically closed after dispatching of the request.
 * receive(from(reply_ch).handle_n(1),
 *  [](typename my_ask_reply::reply_mhood_t cmd) {...});
 * \endcode
 */
constexpr const close_reply_chain_flag_t close_reply_chain =
        close_reply_chain_flag_t::close;
 
//! The indicator that the reply chain shouldn't be closed automatically.
/*!
 * If this flag is used then the reply chain won't be automatically closed when
 * the corresponding request_reply_t instance is being destroyed. It means that
 * one reply chain can be used for receiving of different replies:
 * \code
 * using one_ask_reply = so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t<one_request, one_reply>;
 * using another_ask_reply = so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t<another_request, another_reply>;
 *
 * // Create the reply chain manually.
 * auto reply_ch = create_mchain(env);
 * // Issue the first request.
 * one_ask_reply::initiate_with_custom_reply_to(
 *  one_target,
 *  reply_ch,
 *  so_5::extra::sync::do_not_close_reply_chain,
 *  ...);
 * // Issue the second request.
 * another_ask_reply::initiate_with_custom_reply_to(
 *  another_target,
 *  reply_ch,
 *  so_5::extra::sync::do_not_close_reply_chain,
 *  ...);
 * ... // Do something.
 * // Now we can read the replies.
 * receive(from(reply_ch).handle_n(2),
 *  [](typename one_ask_reply::reply_mhood_t cmd) {...},
 *  [](typename another_ask_reply::reply_mhood_t cmd) {...});
 * \endcode
 */
constexpr const close_reply_chain_flag_t do_not_close_reply_chain =
        close_reply_chain_flag_t::do_not_close;
 
//
// request_reply_t
//
/*!
 * \brief A special class for performing interactions between
 * agents in request-reply maner.
 
Some older versions of SObjectizer-5 supported synchronous interactions between
agents. But since SObjectizer-5.6 this functionality has been removed from
SObjectizer core. Some form of synchronous interaction is now supported via
so_5::extra::sync.
 
The request_reply_t template is the main building block for the synchronous
interaction between agents in the form of request-reply. The basic usage
example is looked like the following:
 
\code
struct my_request {
    int a_;
    std::string b_;
};
 
struct my_reply {
    std::string c_;
    std::pair<int, int> d_;
};
 
namespace sync_ns = so_5::extra::sync;
 
// The agent that processes requests.
class service final : public so_5::agent_t {
    ...
    void on_request(
            sync_ns::request_mhood_t<my_request, my_reply> cmd) {
        ...; // Some processing.
        // Now the reply can be sent. Instance of my_reply will be created
        // automatically.
        cmd->make_reply(
            // Value for my_reply::c_ field.
            "Reply", 
            // Value for my_reply::d_ field.
            std::make_pair(0, 1) );
    }
}
...
// Mbox of service agent.
const so_5::mbox_t svc_mbox = ...;
 
// Issue the request and wait reply for at most 15s.
// An exception of type so_5::exception_t will be sent if reply
// is not received in 15 seconds.
my_reply reply = sync_ns::request_reply<my_request, my_reply>(
    // Destination of the request.
    svc_mbox,
    // Max waiting time.
    15s,
    // Parameters for initialization of my_request instance.
    // Value for my_request::a_ field.
    42,
    // Value for my_request::b_ field.
    "Request");
 
// Or, if we don't want to get an exception.
optional<my_reply> opt_reply = sync_ns::request_opt_reply<my_request, my_reply>(
    svc_mbox,
    15s,
    4242,
    "Request #2");
\endcode
 
When a user calls request_reply() or request_opt_reply() helper function an
instance of request_reply_t class is created and sent to the destination.
This instance is sent as a mutable message, because of that it should be
received via mutable_mhood_t. Usage of so_5::extra::sync::request_mhood_t
template is the most convenient way to receive instances of request_reply_t
class.
 
If Request is not a type of a signal then request_reply_t holds an instance
of that type inside. This instance is accessible via request_reply_t::request()
getter:
 
\code
struct my_request {
    int a_;
    std::string b_;
};
 
struct my_reply {...};
 
namespace sync_ns = so_5::extra::sync;
 
// The agent that processes requests.
class service final : public so_5::agent_t {
    ...
    void on_request(
            sync_ns::request_mhood_t<my_request, my_reply> cmd) {
        std::cout << "request received: " << cmd->request().a_
                << ", " << cmd->request().b_ << std::endl;
        ...
    }
};
\endcode
 
If Request is a type of a signal then there is no request_reply_t::request()
getter.
 
To make a reply it is necessary to call request_reply_t::make_reply() method:
 
\code
void some_agent::on_request(so_5::extra::sync::request_mhood_t<Request, Reply> cmd) {
    ...;
    cmd->make_reply(
        // This arguments will be passed to Reply's constructor.
        ... );
}
\endcode
 
\note
The make_reply() method can be called only once. An attempt to do the second
call to make_reply() will lead to raising exception of type
so_5::exception_t.
 
Please note that repeating of Request and Reply types, again and again, is not
a good idea. For example, the following code can be hard to maintain:
\code
void some_agent::on_some_request(
        sync_ns::request_mhood_t<some_request, some_reply> cmd)
{...}
 
void some_agent::on_another_request(
        sync_ns::request_mhood_t<another_request, another_reply> cmd)
{...}
 
...
auto some_result = sync_ns::request_reply<some_request, some_reply>(...);
...
auto another_result = sync_ns::request_reply<another_request, another_reply>(...);
\endcode
 
It is better to define a separate name for Request and Reply pair and
use this name:
\code
using some_request_reply = sync_ns::request_reply_t<some_request, some_reply>;
using another_request_reply = sync_ns::request_reply_t<another_request, another_reply>;
 
void some_agent::on_some_request(
        typename some_request_reply::request_mhood_t cmd)
{...}
 
void some_agent::on_another_request(
        typename another_request_reply::request_mhood_t cmd)
{...}
 
...
auto some_result = some_request_reply::ask_value(...);
...
auto another_result = another_request_reply::ask_value(...);
\endcode
 
\attention The request_reply_t is not thread safe class.
 
\attention Message mutability indicators like so_5::mutable_msg and
so_5::immutable_msg can't be used for Request and Reply parameters. It means
that the following code will lead to compilation errors:
\code
// NOTE: so_5::immutable_msg can't be used here!
auto v1 = so_5::extra::sync::request_value<so_5::immutable_msg<Q>, A>(...);
 
// NOTE: so_5::mutable_msg can't be used here!
auto v2 = so_5::extra::sync::request_value<Q, so_5::mutable_msg<A>>(...);
\endcode
 
\par A custom destination for the reply message
 
By default the reply message is sent to a separate mchain created inside
request_value() and request_opt_value() functions (strictly speacking
this mchain is created inside request_reply_t::initiate() function and
then used by request_value() and request_opt_value() functions).
 
But sometimes it can be necessary to have an ability to specify a custom
destination for the reply message. It can be done via
request_reply_t::initiate_with_custom_reply_to() methods. For example,
the following code sends two requests to different targets but all replies
are going to the same mchain:
\code
using first_ask_reply = so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t<first_request, first_reply>;
using second_ask_reply = so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t<second_request, second_reply>;
 
auto reply_ch = create_mchain(env);
 
// Sending of requests.
first_ask_reply::initiate_with_custom_reply_to(
        first_target,
        // do_not_close_reply_chain is mandatory in that scenario.
        reply_ch, so_5::extra::sync::do_not_close_reply_chain,
        ... );
second_ask_reply::initiate_with_custom_reply_to(
        second_target,
        // do_not_close_reply_chain is mandatory in that scenario.
        reply_ch, so_5::extra::sync::do_not_close_reply_chain,
        ... );
 
... // Do something.
 
// Now we want to receive and handle replies.
receive(from(reply_ch).handle_n(2).empty_timeout(15s),
        [](typename first_ask_reply::reply_mhood_t cmd) {...},
        [](typename second_ask_reply::reply_mhood_t cmd) {...});
\endcode
 
\tparam Request a type of a request. It can be type of a signal.
 
\tparam Reply a type of a reply. This type should be
MoveAssignable+MoveConstructible or CopyAssignable+CopyConstructible.
 
 */
template<typename Request, typename Reply>
class request_reply_t final
    :   public details::request_holder_part_t<
                details::basic_request_reply_part_t<Request, Reply>,
                is_signal<Request>::value >
    {
        using base_type = details::request_holder_part_t<
                details::basic_request_reply_part_t<Request, Reply>,
                is_signal<Request>::value >;
 
    public :
        //! An actual type of request.
        using request_t = typename base_type::request_t;
        //! An actual type of reply.
        using reply_t = typename base_type::reply_t;
 
        //! A shorthand for mhood for receiving request object.
        /*!
         * An instance of requst is sent as mutabile message of
         * type request_reply_t<Q,A>. It means that this message
         * can be received if a request handler has the following
         * prototype:
         * \code
         * void handler(so_5::mhood_t<so_5::mutable_msg<so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t<Q,A>>>);
         * \endcode
         * or:
         * \code
         * void handler(so_5::mutable_mhood_t<so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t<Q,A>>);
         * \endcode
         * But it is better to use request_mhood_t typedef:
         * \code
         * void handler(typename so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t<Q,A>::request_mhood_t);
         * \endcode
         * And yet better to use request_mhood_t typedef that way:
         * \code
         * using my_request_reply = so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t<Q,A>;
         * void handler(typename my_request_reply::request_mhood_t);
         * \endcode
         */
        using request_mhood_t = mutable_mhood_t< request_reply_t >;
 
        //! A shorthand for mhood for receiving reply object.
        /*!
         * An instance of requst is sent as mutabile message of
         * type reply_t. It means that this message
         * can be received if a message handler has the following
         * prototype:
         * \code
         * void handler(so_5::mhood_t<so_5::mutable_msg<typename so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t<Q,A>::reply_t>>);
         * \endcode
         * or:
         * \code
         * void handler(so_5::mutable_mhood_t<typename so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t<Q,A>::reply_t>);
         * \endcode
         * But it is better to use reply_mhood_t typedef:
         * \code
         * void handler(typename so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t<Q,A>::reply_mhood_t);
         * \endcode
         * And yet better to use reply_mhood_t typedef that way:
         * \code
         * using my_request_reply = so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t<Q,A>;
         * void handler(typename my_request_reply::reply_mhood_t);
         * \endcode
         *
         * \note
         * Usage of that typedef can be necessary only if you implement
         * you own handling of reply-message from the reply chain.
         */
        using reply_mhood_t = mutable_mhood_t< reply_t >;
 
        //! A shorthand for message_holder that can hold request_reply instance.
        /*!
         * Usage example:
         * \code
         * using my_request_reply = so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t<my_request, my_reply>;
         *
         * class requests_collector final : public so_5::agent_t {
         *  // Container for holding received requests.
         *  std::vector<typename my_request_reply::holder_t> requests_;
         *
         *  ...
         *  void on_request(typename my_request_reply::request_mhood_t cmd) {
         *      // Store the request to process it later.
         *      requests_.push_back(cmd.make_holder());
         *  }
         * };
         * \endcode
         */
        using holder_t = message_holder_t< mutable_msg<request_reply_t> >;
 
    private :
        using base_type::base_type;
 
        using base_type::is_reply_moveable;
        using base_type::is_reply_copyable;
 
        using msg_holder_t = message_holder_t< mutable_msg< request_reply_t > >;
 
        //! Helper method for getting the result value from reply_mhood
        //! with respect to moveability of reply object.
        template< typename Reply_Receiver >
        static void
        borrow_from_reply_mhood(
            reply_mhood_t & cmd,
            Reply_Receiver & result )
            {
                if constexpr( is_reply_moveable )
                    result = std::move(*cmd);
                else
                    result = *cmd;
            }
 
        //! An actual implementation of ask_value for the case when
        //! reply object is DefaultConstructible.
        template<typename Target, typename Duration, typename... Args>
        [[nodiscard]]
        static auto
        ask_default_constructible_value(
            Target && target,
            Duration duration,
            Args && ...args )
            {
                // Because reply object is default constructible we can create it
                // on the stack. And this can be the subject of NRVO.
                reply_t result;
 
                auto reply_ch = initiate(
                        std::forward<Target>(target),
                        std::forward<Args>(args)... );
 
                bool result_received{false};
                receive(
                        from(reply_ch).handle_n(1).empty_timeout(duration),
                        [&result, &result_received]( reply_mhood_t cmd ) {
                            result_received = true;
                            borrow_from_reply_mhood( cmd, result );
                        } );
 
                if( !result_received )
                    {
                        SO_5_THROW_EXCEPTION( errors::rc_no_reply,
                                std::string{ "no reply received, request_reply type: " } +
                                typeid(request_reply_t).name() );
                    }
 
                return result;
            }
 
        //! An actual implementation of request_value for the case when
        //! reply object is not DefaultConstructible.
        template<typename Target, typename Duration, typename... Args>
        [[nodiscard]]
        static auto
        ask_not_default_constructible_value(
            Target && target,
            Duration duration,
            Args && ...args )
            {
                // For the case when Reply is not default constructible we
                // will use request_opt_value that can handle then case.
                auto result = ask_opt_value(
                        std::forward<Target>(target),
                        duration,
                        std::forward<Args>(args)... );
 
                if( !result )
                    {
                        SO_5_THROW_EXCEPTION( errors::rc_no_reply,
                                std::string{ "no reply received, request_reply type: " } +
                                typeid(request_reply_t).name() );
                    }
 
                if constexpr( is_reply_moveable )
                    return std::move(*result);
                else
                    return *result;
            }
 
    public :
        /*!
         * \brief Initiate a request by sending request_reply_t message instance.
         *
         * This method creates a mchain for reply, then instantiates and
         * sends an instance of request_reply_t<Request, Reply> type.
         *
         * Returns the reply mchain.
         *
         * Note that this method is used in implementation of ask_value()
         * and ask_opt_value() methods. Call it only if you want to receive
         * reply message by itself. For example usage of initiate() can
         * be useful in a such case:
         * \code
         * // Issue the first request.
         * auto ch1 = so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t<Ask1, Reply1>::initiate(target1, ..);
         * // Issue the second request.
         * auto ch2 = so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t<Ask2, Reply2>::initiate(target2, ...);
         * // Issue the third request.
         * auto ch3 = so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t<Ask3, Reply3>::initiate(target3, ...);
         * // Wait and handle requests in any order of appearance.
         * so_5::select( so_5::from_all().handle_all(),
         *  case_(ch1, [](so_5::extra::sync::reply_mhood_t<Ask1, Reply1> cmd) {...}),
         *  case_(ch2, [](so_5::extra::sync::reply_mhood_t<Ask2, Reply2> cmd) {...}),
         *  case_(ch3, [](so_5::extra::sync::reply_mhood_t<Ask3, Reply3> cmd) {...}));
         * \endcode
         */
        template< typename Target, typename... Args >
        [[nodiscard]]
        static mchain_t
        initiate( const Target & target, Args && ...args )
            {
                // Only one message should be stored in reply_ch.
                auto mchain = so_5::extra::mchains::fixed_size::create_mchain<1>(
                        so_5::send_functions_details::arg_to_env( target ),
                        so_5::mchain_props::overflow_reaction_t::throw_exception );
 
                msg_holder_t msg{
                    // Calling 'new' directly because request_reply_t has
                    // private constructor.
                    new request_reply_t{ mchain, std::forward<Args>(args)... }
                };
 
                send( target, std::move(msg) );
 
                return mchain;
            }
 
        /*!
         * \brief Initiate a request by sending request_reply_t message instance
         * with sending the reply to the specified mbox.
         *
         * A new instance of request_reply_t message is created and sent to
         * \a target. The reply will be sent to \a reply_to mbox.
         *
         * Usage example:
         * \code
         * using my_ask_reply = so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t<my_request, my_reply>;
         * class consumer final : public so_5::agent_t {
         *  void on_some_event(mhood_t<some_event> cmd) {
         *      // Prepare for issuing a request.
         *      // New mbox for receiving the reply.
         *      auto reply_mbox = so_make_new_direct_mbox();
         *      // Make subscription for handling the reply.
         *      so_subscribe(reply_mbox).event(
         *          [this](typename my_ask_reply::reply_mhood_t cmd) {
         *              ... // Some handling.
         *          });
         *      // Issuing a request with redirection of the reply to
         *      // the new reply mbox.
         *      my_ask_reply::initiate_with_custom_reply_to(target, reply_mbox, ...);
         *  }
         * };
         * \endcode
         */
        template< typename Target, typename... Args >
        static void
        initiate_with_custom_reply_to(
            const Target & target,
            const mbox_t & reply_to,
            Args && ...args )
            {
                msg_holder_t msg{
                    // Calling 'new' directly because request_reply_t has
                    // private constructor.
                    new request_reply_t{ reply_to, std::forward<Args>(args)... }
                };
 
                send( target, std::move(msg) );
            }
 
        /*!
         * \brief Initiate a request by sending request_reply_t message instance
         * with sending the reply to the direct mbox of the specified agent.
         *
         * A new instance of request_reply_t message is created and sent to
         * \a target. The reply will be sent to the direct mbox \a reply_to agent.
         *
         * Usage example:
         * \code
         * using my_ask_reply = so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t<my_request, my_reply>;
         * class consumer final : public so_5::agent_t {
         *  void on_some_event(mhood_t<some_event> cmd) {
         *      // Prepare for issuing a request.
         *      // Make subscription for handling the reply.
         *      so_subscribe_self().event(
         *          [this](typename my_ask_reply::reply_mhood_t cmd) {
         *              ... // Some handling.
         *          });
         *      // Issuing a request with redirection of the reply to
         *      // the direct mbox of the agent.
         *      my_ask_reply::initiate_with_custom_reply_to(target, *this, ...);
         *  }
         * };
         * \endcode
         */
        template< typename Target, typename... Args >
        static void
        initiate_with_custom_reply_to(
            const Target & target,
            const agent_t & reply_to,
            Args && ...args )
            {
                msg_holder_t msg{
                    // Calling 'new' directly because request_reply_t has
                    // private constructor.
                    new request_reply_t{
                            reply_to.so_direct_mbox(), std::forward<Args>(args)... }
                };
 
                send( target, std::move(msg) );
            }
 
        /*!
         * \brief Initiate a request by sending request_reply_t message instance
         * with sending the reply to the specified mchain.
         *
         * A new instance of request_reply_t message is created and sent to
         * \a target. The reply will be sent to \a reply_ch mchain.
         *
         * Argument \a close_flag specifies what should be done with \a reply_ch
         * after destroying of request_reply_t message instance:
         * - if \a close_flag is so_5::extra::sync::close_reply_chain then \a
         *   reply_ch will be automatically closed;
         * - if \a close_flag is so_5::extra::sync::do_not_close_reply_chain then
         *   \a reply_ch won't be closed. In that case \a reply_ch mchain can be
         *   used for handling replies from several requests. See description of
         *   so_5::extra::sync::do_not_close_reply_chain for an example.
         */
        template< typename Target, typename... Args >
        static void
        initiate_with_custom_reply_to(
            const Target & target,
            const mchain_t & reply_ch,
            close_reply_chain_flag_t close_flag,
            Args && ...args )
            {
                msg_holder_t msg;
 
                switch( close_flag )
                    {
                    case close_reply_chain:
                        msg = msg_holder_t{ new request_reply_t{
                                reply_ch,
                                std::forward<Args>(args)... } };
                    break;
 
                    case do_not_close_reply_chain:
                        msg = msg_holder_t{ new request_reply_t{
                                reply_ch->as_mbox(),
                                std::forward<Args>(args)... } };
                    break;
                    }
 
                send( target, std::move(msg) );
            }
 
        /*!
         * \brief Make the reply and send it back.
         *
         * Instantiates an instance of type Reply and send it back to
         * the reply chain.
         *
         * \attention This method should be called at most once.
         * An attempt to call it twice will lead to an exception.
         *
         * Usage example:
         * \code
         * void some_agent::on_request(
         *  so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t<Request, Reply> cmd)
         * {
         *  ... // Some processing of the request.
         *  // Sending the reply back.
         *  cmd->make_reply(...);
         * }
         * \endcode
         *
         * \tparam Args types of arguments for Reply's constructor.
         */
        template< typename... Args >
        void
        make_reply( Args && ...args )
            {
                if( this->m_reply_sent )
                    SO_5_THROW_EXCEPTION( errors::rc_reply_was_sent,
                            std::string{ "reply has already been sent, "
                                    "request_reply type: " } +
                            typeid(request_reply_t).name() );
 
                so_5::send< so_5::mutable_msg<reply_t> >(
                        details::query_actual_reply_target(
                                this->m_reply_target.target() ),
                        std::forward<Args>(args)... );
 
                this->m_reply_sent = true;
            }
 
        /*!
         * \brief Send a request and wait for the reply.
         *
         * This method instantiates request_reply_t object using 
         * \a args arguments for initializing instance of Request type.
         * Then the request_reply_t is sent as a mutable message to
         * \a target. Then this method waits the reply for no more
         * than \a duration. If there is no reply then an empty
         * std::optional is returned.
         *
         * Returns an instance of std::optional<Reply>.
         *
         * Usage example:
         * \code
         * struct check_user_request final {...};
         * struct check_user_result final {...};
         * using check_user = so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t<check_user_request, check_user_result>;
         * ...
         * std::optional<check_user_result> result = check_user::ask_opt_value(
         *      target,
         *      10s,
         *      ... );
         * if(result) {
         *  ... // Some handling of *result.
         * }
         * \endcode
         *
         * \note
         * If Request is a type of a signal then \a args should be an empty
         * sequence:
         * \code
         * struct statistics_request final : public so_5::signal_t {};
         * class current_stats final {...};
         *
         * std::optional<current_stats> stats =
         *  so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t<statistics_request, current_stats>::ask_opt_value(target, 10s);
         * \endcode
         */
        template<typename Target, typename Duration, typename... Args>
        [[nodiscard]]
        static auto
        ask_opt_value(
            Target && target,
            Duration duration,
            Args && ...args )
            {
                auto reply_ch = initiate(
                        std::forward<Target>(target),
                        std::forward<Args>(args)... );
 
                optional<reply_t> result;
                receive(
                        from(reply_ch).handle_n(1).empty_timeout(duration),
                        [&result]( reply_mhood_t cmd ) {
                            borrow_from_reply_mhood( cmd, result );
                        } );
 
                return result;
            }
 
        /*!
         * \brief Send a request and wait for the reply.
         *
         * This method instantiates request_reply_t object using 
         * \a args arguments for initializing instance of Request type.
         * Then the request_reply_t is sent as a mutable message to
         * \a target. Then this method waits the reply for no more
         * than \a duration. If there is no reply then an exception
         * of type so_5::exception_t is thrown.
         *
         * Returns an instance of Reply.
         *
         * Usage example:
         * \code
         * struct check_user_request final {...};
         * struct check_user_result final {...};
         * using check_user = so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t<check_user_request, check_user_result>;
         * ...
         * check_user_result result = check_user::ask_value(
         *      target,
         *      10s,
         *      ... );
         * \endcode
         *
         * \note
         * If Request is a type of a signal then \a args should be an empty
         * sequence:
         * \code
         * struct statistics_request final : public so_5::signal_t {};
         * class current_stats final {...};
         *
         * std::optional<current_stats> stats =
         *  so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t<statistics_request, current_stats>::ask_value(target, 10s);
         * \endcode
         */
        template<typename Target, typename Duration, typename... Args>
        [[nodiscard]]
        static auto
        ask_value(
            Target && target,
            Duration duration,
            Args && ...args )
            {
                if constexpr( std::is_default_constructible_v<reply_t> )
                    return ask_default_constructible_value(
                            std::forward<Target>(target),
                            duration,
                            std::forward<Args>(args)... );
                else
                    return ask_not_default_constructible_value(
                            std::forward<Target>(target),
                            duration,
                            std::forward<Args>(args)... );
            }
    };
 
//
// request_mhood_t
//
/*!
 * \brief A short form of request_reply_t<Q,A>::request_mhood_t.
 *
 * Usage example:
 * \code
 * namespace sync_ns = so_5::extra::sync;
 * class service final : public so_5::agent_t {
 *  ...
 *  void on_request(sync_ns::request_mhood_t<my_request, my_reply> cmd) {
 *      ...
 *      cmd->make_reply(...);
 *  }
 * };
 * \endcode
 */
template< typename Request, typename Reply >
using request_mhood_t = typename request_reply_t<Request, Reply>::request_mhood_t;
 
//
// reply_mhood_t
//
/*!
 * \brief A short form of request_reply_t<Q,A>::reply_mhood_t.
 */
template< typename Request, typename Reply >
using reply_mhood_t = typename request_reply_t<Request, Reply>::reply_mhood_t;
 
//
// request_reply
//
/*!
 * \brief A helper function for performing request_reply-iteraction.
 *
 * Sends a so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t <Request,Reply> to the specified
 * \a target and waits the reply for no more that \a duration. If there is no
 * reply then an exception will be thrown.
 *
 * Usage example:
 * \code
 * auto r = so_5::extra::sync::request_reply<my_request, my_reply>(
 *      some_mchain,
 *      10s,
 *      ...);
 * \endcode
 *
 * Returns an instance of Reply object.
 */
template<
    typename Request, typename Reply,
    typename Target, typename Duration, typename... Args>
[[nodiscard]]
auto
request_reply(
    Target && target,
    Duration duration,
    Args && ...args )
    {
        return request_reply_t<Request, Reply>::ask_value(
                std::forward<Target>(target),
                duration,
                std::forward<Args>(args)... );
    }
 
//
// request_opt_reply
//
/*!
 * \brief A helper function for performing request_reply-iteraction.
 *
 * Sends a so_5::extra::sync::request_reply_t <Request,Reply> to the specified
 * \a target and waits the reply for no more that \a duration. If there is no
 * reply then an empty optional object will be returned.
 *
 * Usage example:
 * \code
 * auto r = so_5::extra::sync::request_opt_reply<my_request, my_reply>(
 *      some_mchain,
 *      10s,
 *      ...);
 * if(r) {
 *  ... // Do something with *r.
 * }
 * \endcode
 *
 * Returns an instance of std::optional<Reply> object.
 */
template<
    typename Request, typename Reply,
    typename Target, typename Duration, typename... Args>
[[nodiscard]]
auto
request_opt_reply(
    Target && target,
    Duration duration,
    Args && ...args )
    {
        return request_reply_t<Request, Reply>::ask_opt_value(
                std::forward<Target>(target),
                duration,
                std::forward<Args>(args)... );
    }
 
} /* namespace sync */
 
} /* namespace extra */
 
} /* namespace so_5 */