drogonframework/drogon — Drogon: A C++14/17/20 based HTTP web application framework running on Linux/macOS/Unix/Windows

Description and use

**Summary**
Drogon is a high‑performance C++14/17/20 web framework for building HTTP APIs that runs on Linux, macOS, Unix, and Windows. With over 13 k GitHub stars and active maintenance, it lets teams reuse proven service infrastructure instead of reinventing common backend components, accelerating API delivery and enforcing consistent service patterns.

**Value**

• **Speed to market** – By providing ready‑made routing, request/response handling, JSON support, and async I/O, Drogon cuts the time needed to spin up new micro‑services.
• **Standardization** – A single, well‑documented framework enforces uniform coding conventions and architectural patterns across multiple services, reducing technical debt and onboarding friction.
• **Performance & scalability** – Native C++ execution and built‑in coroutine support deliver low latency and high throughput, making it suitable for latency‑sensitive back‑ends.

**Practical Adoption Path**

1. **Proof of concept** – Clone the repo, follow the README to build a minimal “Hello World” service, and run it on a dev box to verify toolchain compatibility.
2. **Pilot service** – Migrate a low‑risk internal API to Drogon, using its code generation and plugin system to replace existing boilerplate.
3. **Integration checks** – Validate CI/CD pipelines, container images, and security scanning (e.g., Snyk, Dependabot) against the project’s dependencies.
4. **Gradual rollout** – Extend the pilot to additional services, establishing internal libraries (e.g., authentication middleware) that can be shared across teams.

**Production Readiness**
Drogon scores high for production use: recent commits (as of 2026‑05‑13), a large and active community (13 878 stars, 1 337 forks), and multiple platform supports indicate stability and ongoing maintenance. While no major metadata risks have been identified, a final review of the MIT‑style license, vulnerability reports, and maintainer responsiveness is recommended before committing to large‑scale deployments. With these checks completed, Drogon is a solid OSS candidate for serious pilot projects and eventual full‑scale production adoption.

Problem

drogonframework/drogon helps teams reuse service infrastructure instead of rebuilding common backend pieces.

Outcome

High for an OSS candidate: recent activity, adoption, and ecosystem signals are strong enough for a serious pilot.

Workflow

• ship API services faster
• reuse backend infrastructure
• standardize service patterns

Evidence

Drogon: A C++14/17/20 based HTTP web application framework running on Linux/macOS/Unix/Windows

Source