Async function syntax in Javascript - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What keyword is used to declare an async function in JavaScript?

The async keyword is used before the function keyword or before the parentheses in arrow functions to declare an async function.

beginner

What does an async function always return?

An async function always returns a Promise, even if you return a simple value inside it.

beginner

How do you wait for a Promise to resolve inside an async function?

Use the await keyword before the Promise to pause the function execution until the Promise resolves.

beginner

Show the syntax of an async arrow function that returns the string 'Hello'.

const greet = async () => {
  return 'Hello';
};

beginner

Why use async functions instead of regular functions when working with Promises?

Async functions let you write asynchronous code that looks like normal, synchronous code, making it easier to read and maintain.

Which keyword is used to declare an async function?

A async

B await

C promise

D defer

The async keyword declares an async function.

What does an async function return by default?

A A callback

B A Promise

C Undefined

D A number

Async functions always return a Promise.

How do you pause an async function until a Promise resolves?

A Using setTimeout

B Using async

C Using then

D Using await

The await keyword pauses the async function until the Promise resolves.

Which of these is a correct async function declaration?

A async function fetchData() {}

B function async fetchData() {}

C await function fetchData() {}

D function fetchData async() {}

The correct syntax is async function functionName() {}.

What is the benefit of using async functions?

A They replace all callbacks automatically

B They run code faster

C They make asynchronous code easier to read

D They prevent errors

Async functions make asynchronous code look like synchronous code, improving readability.

Explain how to declare an async function and how it behaves differently from a regular function.

Think about the keywords and what the function returns.

Describe how the await keyword works inside an async function.

Consider what happens when you use await before a Promise.

Practice

1. What does the async keyword do when placed before a function in JavaScript?

easy

A. It converts the function into a synchronous blocking call.

B. It makes the function run faster by using multiple CPU cores.

C. It automatically retries the function if it fails.

D. It makes the function return a promise and allows use of await inside it.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of async

   The async keyword marks a function to always return a promise.

2. Step 2: Recognize the effect on await

   Inside an async function, you can use await to pause until a promise resolves.

3. Final Answer:

   It makes the function return a promise and allows use of await inside it. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   async = returns promise + allows await [OK]

Hint: Async means function returns promise and can use await inside [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking async makes function run faster
• Confusing async with synchronous blocking
• Believing async retries failed calls automatically

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to declare an async function named fetchData?

easy

A. async function fetchData() { }

B. function async fetchData() { }

C. function fetchData async() { }

D. async fetchData function() { }

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall async function declaration syntax

   The correct syntax places async before the function keyword.

2. Step 2: Check each option's order

   Only async function fetchData() { } correctly writes async function fetchData() { }.

3. Final Answer:

   async function fetchData() { } -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   async before function keyword = correct syntax [OK]

Hint: Put async before function keyword for correct syntax [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Placing async after function name
• Writing async inside parentheses
• Mixing order of async and function keywords

3. What will be the output of this code?

async function greet() {
  return 'Hello';
}

greet().then(console.log);

medium

A. Promise { 'Hello' }

B. Hello

C. undefined

D. SyntaxError

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand async function return value

   An async function always returns a promise that resolves to the returned value.

2. Step 2: Analyze the .then usage

   The then method receives the resolved value 'Hello' and logs it.

3. Final Answer:

   Hello -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Async function returns promise, .then logs resolved value [OK]

Hint: Async returns promise; .then logs resolved value [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting direct string without .then
• Confusing promise object with resolved value
• Thinking async function returns undefined

4. Identify the error in this async function:

async function load() {
  const data = await fetch('url');
  return data.json;
}

medium

A. fetch should not be awaited

B. Cannot use await inside async function

C. Missing parentheses after json to call the method

D. async keyword is misplaced

Solution

1. Step 1: Check usage of await and fetch

   Using await fetch('url') is correct inside async function.

2. Step 2: Inspect return statement

   data.json is a function and needs parentheses: data.json().

3. Final Answer:

   Missing parentheses after json to call the method -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Call json() method with parentheses [OK]

Hint: Remember to call json() with parentheses after await fetch [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting parentheses on json method
• Thinking await can't be used inside async
• Misplacing async keyword

5. You want to write an async function processData that fetches JSON from a URL and returns the value of the name property. Which code correctly does this?

hard

A. async function processData(url) {
const response = await fetch(url);
const data = await response.json();
return data.name;
}

B. async function processData(url) {
const response = fetch(url);
const data = response.json();
return data.name;
}

C. function processData(url) {
const response = await fetch(url);
const data = await response.json();
return data.name;
}

D. async function processData(url) {
const response = await fetch(url);
const data = response.json;
return data.name;
}

Solution

1. Step 1: Confirm async function and await usage

   async function processData(url) { const response = await fetch(url); const data = await response.json(); return data.name; } correctly uses async and awaits both fetch and response.json().

2. Step 2: Check return of name property

   async function processData(url) { const response = await fetch(url); const data = await response.json(); return data.name; } returns data.name after parsing JSON, which is correct.

3. Final Answer:

   async function processData(url) { const response = await fetch(url); const data = await response.json(); return data.name; } -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Await fetch and json(), then return property [OK]

Hint: Await fetch and json(), then return needed property [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Not awaiting response.json()
• Missing async keyword
• Returning json method without calling it