Resolving the SyntaxError: await is only valid in async function in Node.js

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Understanding and Fixing the SyntaxError: await is only valid in async function Error

The Problem: A SyntaxError Encountered

When using await, it is mandatory for the enclosing function to be declared as async. Without this declaration, JavaScript won't know that you intend to run asynchronous code which can cause runtime errors. In your situation, the issue arises in the context of using the await keyword inside a forEach() loop on message attachments:

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

The forEach method is not inherently asynchronous, and as a result, using await inside it leads to a SyntaxError. Let’s break this down further.

The Solution: Correcting the Code Structure

To resolve this issue, we need to adjust the way async functions are structured within your existing code. Here’s how you can fix the problem step-by-step:

Step 1: Change the ForEach Loop

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

Step 2: Key Code Adjustment

Here’s the corrected version of your entire function:

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

Important Takeaways:

async vs. await: The async keyword allows the use of await inside functions. Always ensure that any function using await is marked async.

ForEach with Async Function: The standard forEach does not handle asynchronous code appropriately, which is why we adapted its callback to be asynchronous.

Conclusion

Now go ahead, apply these changes and watch your code run smoothly without errors!