I am currently trying to use boost::asio for some simple tcp networking for the first time, and I allready came across something I am not really sure how to deal with. As fa
Using io_service::poll instead of io_service::run is perfectly acceptable. The difference is explained in the documentation
The poll() function may also be used to dispatch ready handlers, but without blocking.
Note that io_service::run will block if there's any work left in the queue
The work class is used to inform the io_service when work starts and finishes. This ensures that the io_service object's run() function will not exit while work is underway, and that it does exit when there is no unfinished work remaining.
whereas io_service::poll does not exhibit this behavior, it just invokes ready handlers. Also note that you will need to invoke io_service::reset on any subsequent invocation to io_service:run or io_service::poll.