If Writing C++ Coroutines Goes Over My Head, Where Do I Even Begin with Debugging?

Learn to debug C++ coroutines through hands-on exploration in this conference talk from ACCU 2025. Discover practical debugging techniques for one of C++'s most challenging features by examining coroutines directly in the debugger, moving beyond the complexity of writing them to understand how they actually work. Explore the current state of C++ coroutines, including the limitations of std::generator and the promise of libraries like Boost.Asio and Boost.Cobalt that provide asynchronous building blocks similar to Python's asyncio. Understand why coroutines remain difficult despite years since their introduction, examining the missing standardized libraries and terminology that were supposed to simplify their use. Navigate the distinction between synchronous generators in the Ranges library and truly asynchronous coroutines, while identifying practical use cases for your own projects. Master the fundamental principles that make coroutines less intimidating than they initially appear, using a stumbling-through-code approach that mirrors how many developers learn complex concepts today. Gain insights into the broader coroutines ecosystem and their full potential beyond basic generator use cases, with practical debugging strategies that apply Kernighan's law about debugging being twice as hard as writing code.