How to Resolve an Await Function in JavaScript that Takes Too Long

Learn how to handle delayed await functions in JavaScript using AbortController for efficient error handling and improved user experience.
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How to Resolve an Await Function in JavaScript that Takes Too Long

Have you ever found yourself waiting impatiently for a JavaScript function to return data from an external API, only to discover it hangs indefinitely? This is a common issue developers face, especially when dealing with unpredictable external sources. Sometimes, what should only take a few milliseconds can extend to several seconds, leading to a poor user experience.

The Problem at Hand

Consider this situation: you have an await function that requests data from an external API. Typically, the response arrives in about 600ms. However, there are occasions when it can lag up to 10 seconds or longer. You want your application to continue running and handle the response gracefully, regardless of whether the API succeeds or fails after a specific period (e.g., 1 second).

Here's what the initial code might look like:

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

The core function that calls the external API resembles the following:

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

Goals:

The function should return success if:

The fetch operation is successful.

The fetch operation exceeds a designated timeout period, such as 1 second.

Solution: Using AbortController

To implement a solution, we can leverage the AbortController API, which allows us to abort ongoing fetch requests. Let's break down the steps to create a robust function that reflects these requirements.

Step-by-Step Implementation

Initialize the AbortController: This will help us abort the fetch when the timeout is reached.

Set a Timeout: Use setTimeout to trigger the abort behavior after the specified duration (1 second in our case).

Make the Fetch Call: Include the signal from the controller in the fetch options.

Clear the Timeout: If the fetch completes successfully before the timeout, clear the timer to avoid attempting to abort an already resolved promise.

Updated Function Code

Here’s how the modified fetchExternalAPI function would look:

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

Key Components Explained:

AbortController: This component allows you to abort fetch requests. When the specified time elapses, the abort() method cancels the request.

setTimeout: This JavaScript function schedules a piece of code to be executed after a specified delay.

signal: This must be included in the fetch options; it signals the fetching process to stop if the abort is triggered.

Conclusions

By incorporating AbortController and managing timeouts, you can significantly enhance the behavior of your application while dealing with asynchronous calls. Adapting the fetch function through this method allows it to succeed or fail gracefully—ensuring the user experience remains uninterrupted.

Feel free to integrate this code into your JavaScript projects and never worry about stuck fetch calls again!