What are the differences between async functions and callbacks in TypeScript?

What are the differences between async functions and callbacks in TypeScript?

Async functions in TypeScript allow you to write asynchronous code that looks synchronous, making it easier to read and maintain. Callbacks, on the other hand, can lead to callback hell, where nested callbacks make the code harder to follow.

Can you give me an example of both?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

Using a callback:

function fetchData(callback: (data: string) => void) {
    setTimeout(() => {
        callback('Data received');
    }, 1000);
}

fetchData((data) => {
    console.log(data);
});

Using an async function:

async function fetchData() {
    return new Promise<string>((resolve) => {
        setTimeout(() => {
            resolve('Data received');
        }, 1000);
    });
}

(async () => {
    const data = await fetchData();
    console.log(data);
})();

What are the advantages of using async functions?

Async functions provide better error handling with try/catch blocks, avoid callback hell, and make the code more readable and maintainable.

Are there any downsides to using async functions?

One downside is that async functions can introduce a slight performance overhead due to the use of Promises. Additionally, if not used carefully, they can lead to unhandled promise rejections.