What are the differences between synchronous and asynchronous code?

Can you explain the difference between synchronous and asynchronous code?

Sure! Synchronous code executes line by line, waiting for each operation to complete before moving to the next. Asynchronous code, on the other hand, allows operations to run in the background, enabling other code to execute without waiting.

Can you give me an example of synchronous code?

Absolutely! Here's a simple example in JavaScript:

function syncExample() {
    console.log('Start');
    console.log('Middle');
    console.log('End');
}

syncExample();

This will print 'Start', 'Middle', and 'End' in that order.

What about an example of asynchronous code?

Sure! Here's an example using JavaScript's setTimeout:

function asyncExample() {
    console.log('Start');
    setTimeout(() => {
        console.log('Middle');
    }, 1000);
    console.log('End');
}

asyncExample();

In this case, 'Start' and 'End' will print immediately, while 'Middle' will print after 1 second.

Why would I use asynchronous code?

Asynchronous code is useful for tasks that take time, like fetching data from a server. It keeps your application responsive by allowing other code to run while waiting for those tasks to complete.