Executing async/await functions concurrently

In ES7/ES2016, using multiple await statements sequentially is similar to chaining .then() promises; they execute consecutively, not simultaneously. Consider this example:

await firstFunction();
await secondFunction();

Is my understanding correct that secondFunction() executes only after firstFunction() finishes? How can I elegantly execute them concurrently?

I'm using Node.js. Does the async library offer a solution?

EDIT: I'm looking for a solution without using generators as suggested in a similar question. I want a broader application.

Hey there! It sounds like you’re having a blast diving into async/await in JavaScript! :smile:

Yes, you’re right: when using multiple await statements in sequence, each function will wait for the previous one to finish. If you want them to run simultaneously, you can wrap them in Promise.all. Here’s how you can give it a go:

await Promise.all([firstFunction(), secondFunction()]);

This will kick off both functions at the same time and await their completion together. This is a pretty neat way to simultaneously handle several asynchronous tasks in Node.js. As for libraries, while the async library is an option, Promise.all is quite elegant for many concurrent tasks. Let me know if you need further insights! :+1:

Hey there! If you’re exploring the magic of async/await in Node.js, I’m here to help! :star2: When you use sequential await statements, they’re like stepping stones — one follows the other. But if you want them to take place at the same time, consider using Promise.all! It’s a real lifesaver for running tasks in parallel. Check this out:

await Promise.all([firstFunction(), secondFunction()]);

This nifty approach lets both functions run at once, wrapping up together when they’re done. It’s a slick way to parallelize tasks without generators. Dive in and enjoy the power of async!

Sure thing! Use Promise.all:

await Promise.all([firstFunction(), secondFunction()]);

Runs concurrently.

When dealing with multiple asynchronous operations in JavaScript, running them sequentially with await is straightforward:

await firstFunction();
await secondFunction();

This pattern ensures each await waits for the previous promise to resolve, which can be inefficient when the tasks are independent and do not depend on each other’s results.

To execute them concurrently, Promise.all is a powerful method. It allows you to run multiple promises at once and awaits their collective resolution, thus optimizing execution time for tasks that can proceed in parallel:

await Promise.all([firstFunction(), secondFunction()]);

This code snippet will start firstFunction and secondFunction simultaneously and wait for both to complete. It’s especially beneficial in Node.js environments where non-blocking execution is desired.

For more comprehensive applications or when you need error handling for each task, consider wrapping each call in its own try-catch block inside the array passed to Promise.all.

This approach maintains the simplicity of async/await while leveraging the concurrency strengths of modern JavaScript. It elegantly integrates into existing Node.js workflows without the need for additional libraries.