An actor wrapping an object of type T providing async get/set calls without blocking (sacrificing accuracy).

AsyncValue.scala

import scala.actors.Actor

case class Set(value:Any)
case class Get()
case class Destroy()

/*
 * An actor wrapping an object of type T providing async get/set
 * calls without blocking (sacrificing accuracy).
 * 
 * Usage:
 * 
 * <code>
 * 
 * val b = new AsyncValue[Boolean](initialValue, optionalTimeout) // defaults to null and 50 millis
 * b.set(true)
 * b.get()
 * 
 * </code>
 * 
 */
class AsyncValue[T](var value:T = null, var timeout:Int = 50) extends Actor {

  /**
   * Initialize default value to true
   */   
  
  /**
   * Spin up and start the actor
   */
  start()
  
  def act() {
	loop {
	  react {
	    // we're being asked if we can process
		case Set(v:T) => {
		  value = v
		}
			
		case Get() => {
		  reply(value) 
		}
		
		case Destroy() => {
		  exit()
		}
		
		case _ =>
	  }
	}
  }
  
  def set(v:T) {
    this ! Set(v)
  }
  
  def get() : T = {
    try {
      val ret = this !? (timeout, Get())
      ret.get.asInstanceOf[T]
    } catch {
      case e:Exception => {
        // This should not be the case
        value
      }
    }
  }
  
  def destroy() {
    this ! Destroy()
  }
}