How does asynchronous programming work in Node.js?

How does asynchronous programming work in Node.js?

Asynchronous programming in Node.js allows operations to run in the background, enabling non-blocking execution. This means that while one operation is waiting for a response (like a database query), other operations can continue to run.

Can you explain the difference between callbacks, promises, and async/await?

Sure! Callbacks are functions passed as arguments to handle asynchronous results. Promises represent a value that may be available now or in the future, allowing for chaining. Async/await is syntactic sugar over promises, making asynchronous code look synchronous and easier to read.

What are some common pitfalls when using async programming?

Common pitfalls include callback hell, not handling promise rejections, and forgetting to await an async function, which can lead to unexpected behavior.

Can you give me an example of using async/await in a Node.js application?

Certainly! Here's a simple example:

async function fetchData() {
    try {
        const response = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data');
        const data = await response.json();
        console.log(data);
    } catch (error) {
        console.error('Error fetching data:', error);
    }
}

This function fetches data from an API and handles errors gracefully.