Understanding the Error: 'await is only valid in async function'

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Understanding the Error: "await is only valid in async function"

The Problem

When using the await keyword, you might see an error message that looks like this:

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

This error typically arises in situations like the following: you are trying to perform a database operation asynchronously but forgot to mark the function containing the await expression as asynchronous.

The Source Code Example

Consider the following code snippet that illustrates this issue:

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

In this case, the line with await attempts to use it without the enclosing function being declared as async, leading to the syntax error.

The Solution

To resolve this issue, you have two primary options. Let's discuss these methods in detail:

1. Declare the Function as Async

The simplest way to fix this error is to prepend the function that contains the await keyword with the async keyword. Here’s how to do that:

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

2. Use Promises Instead of Async/Await

If for some reason you prefer not to use async/await, you can achieve the same functionality using Promises with .then() method. Here’s how it looks:

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

While this solution works, it is generally recommended to stick with either async/await or callbacks to maintain consistency in your code. Mixing the two can lead to confusion and complicate debugging.

Conclusion