Fixing the await is only valid in async function Error in Your Node.js API

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Understanding Asynchronous Functions

To understand the error, it’s important to grasp what an asynchronous function is. Introduced with ECMAScript 2017, the async keyword signifies that a function is asynchronous, and it can operate outside of the normal execution flow of your code.

Here is a simple example of an asynchronous function:

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In this example, getDataFromAPI is presumed to be an asynchronous function that returns a promise. By prefixing await, we ensure that fetchData waits for the promise to resolve before continuing execution.

Why the Error Occurs

The error await is only valid in async function occurs because the await keyword can only be used within functions that are declared with the async keyword. If you try to use await in a regular function or outside any function, JavaScript will throw this error.

Example of incorrect usage:

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How to Fix the Error

Step 1: Identify the Function

First, ensure that the function in which you are using await is marked as an asynchronous function by using the async keyword.

Step 2: Modify the Function

Here’s how you can modify the code snippet above to be an async function:

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Additional Considerations

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Error Handling: Always consider wrapping your await calls in try-catch blocks to handle any promise rejections.

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Conclusion

Happy coding!