Mastering Async/Await: Making Code Execution Wait in JavaScript

Learn how to effectively use `async/await` in JavaScript to manage asynchronous operations and ensure your code executes in the right order.
---

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: How can I make code execution wait with async await?

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
Mastering Async/Await: Making Code Execution Wait in JavaScript

Introduction

As developers, we often face challenges when dealing with asynchronous code. One common issue is wanting to ensure that certain operations are completed before proceeding with execution. If you've been grappling with how to make code execution wait in JavaScript, especially while using async/await, you're in the right place! In this post, we will explore a practical example of using async/await to manage the order of code execution in your application.

Understanding the Problem

Consider this typical scenario where you have an init function that initializes various data stores by calling multiple asynchronous functions. The traditional chained then() methods lead to callback hell and make it difficult to read and maintain your code.

Here is a snippet of the initial init function before the solution was implemented:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

In the code above, you will see that the console outputs 1,9,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, indicating that the operations are not waiting for each other to complete before the execution continues. The goal is to have all asynchronous functions complete before rendering or proceeding further, which can be achieved using async/await.

The Solution: Using Async/Await

To manage asynchronous execution more effectively, we can refactor the init function using the async/await syntax. By doing so, we can await each function's completion, improving the readability of the code while ensuring each step completes before moving on. Here’s how the refactored init function would look:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Key Changes Made:

Changed the init function to async: This allows us to use await within the function.

Used await for each asynchronous function: Each call now waits for the previous one to complete before proceeding to the next, making the sequence clear and manageable.

Ensuring the Async Function Runs

It’s important to ensure that the init function itself is awaited wherever it is called, especially if subsequent operations depend on its completion. Here is a demonstration using an Immediately Invoked Function Expression (IIFE):

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Why Use an IIFE?

Encapsulation: It allows the usage of await at the top level without modifying the containing function.

Immediate Execution: It immediately runs, ensuring the init function is completed before executing the rest of the code.

Conclusion

By adopting the async/await syntax in JavaScript, we can simplify the handling of asynchronous operations, making our code clearer and preventing execution from continuing until all tasks are completed. This not only improves readability but also helps in debugging and maintenance.

Are you ready to enhance your asynchronous programming skills? Start incorporating async/await in your code today and watch your functions execute in the order you intend!