Solving the Await Dilemma with Firebase Batch Functions in JavaScript

Discover why `await` may not be working as expected with Firebase batch functions, and learn how to ensure it effectively waits for completion in your async functions.
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Understanding the Await Issue with Firebase Batch Functions

When working with JavaScript, and particularly when using Firebase's features like batch writes, developers often run into issues with the await keyword. In this post, we'll explore a common problem where the await keyword doesn't seem to wait for Firebase batch functions to complete. We will also provide a clear and actionable solution to ensure your loaders and asynchronous processes work as expected.

The Problem: Await Not Awaiting

You may have encountered a situation where your loader indicates a process is still in progress while you believe it should be complete. Below is a simplified illustration of how the issue arises.

Example Code

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In this example, it looks like the loader's value isn't set to false because the await is not handling the asynchronous operation properly in the actionUpdateNegotiation function. The root of this lies in the fact that await only works with Promises.

The Solution: Making It Promise-Friendly

Understanding Await and Promises

The await keyword works with the Promise returned by an asynchronous function. In order to ensure that the await behaves as expected in your application, you must verify that the function indeed returns a promise.

Adjusting the Firebase Function

Code Modification

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

Summary of Changes

Promise Return: By returning the promise of the commit operation, the outer function (updateNegotiation) can now correctly handle the completion, thus controlling the loader's state accurately.

Conclusion

By ensuring that your asynchronous operations return a promise, you can utilize the await keyword effectively. This adjustment allows the loader to correctly reflect the state of your operations and enhances the user experience in your applications.

Now, anytime you encounter issues with await in Firebase batch functions, remember to check if you're adequately handling promises for smooth asynchronous flows.