How to Restart Input in Node.js

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The Problem

Imagine you have two functions that need to accept user input sequentially. When you run the first function, it correctly captures input. However, upon running the second function, the input prompt doesn’t work as expected. This confusion illustrates a common issue with asynchronous programming in JavaScript—specifically, how promises operate and how they can lead to unintended behavior when not handled correctly.

Example Code Structure

Here’s a simplified version of the issue you might encounter:

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

In the code above, the first function successfully accepts input, but the second function fails to do so because of how asynchronous promises work.

The Solution

The solution to this problem lies in ensuring that we wait for one promise to resolve before we start the next one. This can be achieved using async/await or by chaining promises properly.

Using Chained Promises

Here’s how you can structure your code to manage input correctly using promises:

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

Using Async/Await

Alternatively, you can use async/await to make your code cleaner and more readable:

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

Key Points to Remember

Promises are Asynchronous: Both functions execute asynchronously, meaning that the second function may start running before the first function is finished unless we appropriately handle it.

Sequential Execution: Always ensure that one promise resolves before starting another. Either by chaining them or using async/await syntax.

Pause & Resume: Use the pause() and resume() methods from the readline interface to manage input states effectively.

Conclusion