Say it like this
- We should refactor that function to use async/await
- This endpoint is already async/await-ready
- Let's wrap the API call in async/await to handle errors better
Use it at work
In a code review
- Let's use async/await here instead of chained promises.
- You forgot an await, so this returns a promise.
Explaining code
- With async/await, the code reads top to bottom.
- Wrap the await in try/catch to handle errors.
Helping a teammate
- The function needs to be marked async before you can use await.
- Run these in parallel with Promise.all instead of awaiting each one.
Don't say this
The await keyword only works inside async functions; using it elsewhere causes a syntax error
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| async/await | Clean syntax to wait for async work | Developers | Modern JavaScript, Python, C# |
| promise | An object for a future result | Developers | Under the hood of async/await |
| callback | A function called when work finishes | Developers | Older code and events |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Your colleague asks how to improve readability in async code. What do you say?
2. The backend team is _______ the entire data layer to use _______ for consistency.
3. Which sentence uses async/await incorrectly?
4. Rewrite this in natural tech English using async/await: 'The function uses promises with .then() and .catch() methods, and we should make it simpler.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"We should refactor that function to use async/await"
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More about async/await
Real examples(3)
- in a standup
"I finished the user authentication module yesterday by converting the callback functions to async/await."
- in a code review
"This code would be much cleaner if you used async/await instead of nested promise chains."
- in a team meeting
"The new junior developer is still learning async/await patterns, so we paired him with someone experienced."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Often confused with promises or callbacks. Async/await is a syntax pattern, not a concept that replaces asynchronous programming itself.
- ✕Saying async/await replaces promises entirely✓Say async/await is a cleaner syntax for working with promises
Async/await is built on top of promises and depends on them; it is just syntactic sugar
- ✕Forgetting to handle errors when using await✓Wrap await calls in try/catch blocks or use .catch() methods
Without error handling, rejected promises will crash your application
Other forms(2)
- async/await phrase
"The team decided to implement async/await throughout the entire API layer."
- async/await-based adjective
"Our async/await-based approach reduced response times significantly."
Often used with(5)
- use async/await · The most common collocation; means to implement or employ the syntax
- async/await syntax · Refers to the specific grammatical structure and rules of async/await
- refactor to async/await · Means to rewrite existing code using the async/await pattern
- async/await function · A function declared with the async keyword that can use await
- try/catch with async/await · The standard way to handle errors in async/await code
Similar words(3)
- promise chains · Older syntax for handling asynchronous code; less readable than async/await
- callbacks · Even older approach; async/await and promises are preferred in modern JavaScript
- coroutines · A computer science concept; async/await is the implementation of coroutines in JavaScript
Opposites(2)
- synchronous code
- blocking operations
Questions(5)
- What does async/await mean in software engineering?
- Async/await is a JavaScript syntax pattern that simplifies writing asynchronous code. The async keyword marks a function as asynchronous, and the await keyword pauses execution until a promise resolves. It makes asynchronous code look similar to synchronous code, which is easier to understand and maintain.
- How do you use async/await in a sentence at work?
- You can use it as a technical concept in discussions: I refactored the function to use async/await for better readability. Or as an adjective: The async/await approach is cleaner than callback-based code. Or in recommendations: We should convert this to async/await before shipping.
- Is async/await formal or informal?
- Async/await is neutral in formality. It is technical jargon used equally in casual team conversations, code reviews, documentation, and formal presentations. The context of your sentence determines formality, not the term itself.
- What is the difference between async/await and promises?
- Promises are the underlying JavaScript feature for handling asynchronous operations. Async/await is a modern syntax built on top of promises that makes code easier to read and write. All async/await code uses promises internally, but async/await looks cleaner and feels more like synchronous code.
- When should I use async/await?
- Use async/await whenever you need to handle asynchronous operations like API calls, file reading, or database queries. It is the recommended approach in modern JavaScript for any function that waits for a promise or returns a promise. It is standard in professional codebases and expected in job interviews.
