What are the differences between futures and callbacks in programming?

What are the differences between futures and callbacks in programming?

Futures and callbacks are both used for handling asynchronous operations, but they differ in their approach. A callback is a function passed as an argument to another function, which is executed after the completion of an asynchronous task. In contrast, a future represents a value that may not be available yet but will be at some point. Futures allow for more structured error handling and chaining of operations.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! For a callback, consider a function that fetches data from an API and takes a callback function to handle the response. For a future, you might use a promise in JavaScript, which can be resolved or rejected, allowing you to use .then() and .catch() for handling the result.

Which one is better to use?

It depends on the context. Callbacks can lead to 'callback hell' if not managed properly, while futures (or promises) provide a cleaner and more manageable way to handle asynchronous code, especially with chaining and error handling.

Are there any performance differences?

Generally, the performance difference is negligible for most applications. However, futures can be more efficient in managing multiple asynchronous tasks due to their ability to handle chaining and parallel execution more effectively.