Today we're gonna run an ice cream shop and learn asynchronous JS. Along the way, we'll understand how to use

• Callbacks
• Promises
• Async / Await

Table of Contents -

• What's Asynchronous JavaScript
• Synchronous Vs Asynchronous JavaScript
• Callbacks
• Promises
• Async / Await
• Conclusion

You can watch this tutorial on YouTube as well if you like

What's Asynchronous JavaScript ?

If you want to efficiently build projects, Then this is for you.

The theory of async javascript helps you to break down complex & big project into smaller tasks.

And then, using any 1 of these 3 techniques (callbacks, promises or Async/await) we are running those small tasks in a way that we get the final result

Let's Dive in !

Synchronous VS Asynchronous ->

Synchronous System

In this system, tasks are completed 1 after another.

Think of this like, you have just 1 hand to accomplish 10 tasks. So, you have to complete 1 task at a time.

Take a look at the GIF

You can notice that, without loading the 1st image completely, the 2nd image doesn't load.

Note :

By default JavaScript is Synchronous [single threaded] Think like this, 1 thread means 1 hand

Asynchronous System

In this system, tasks are completed independently.

Here, Imagine that For 10 tasks, you're given 10 hands. So, each hand can do the task independently.

Take a look at the GIF

You can notice that, All the images are loading on their own pace. Nobody is waiting for anybody.

To summarize -

When 3 images are on a marathon, in ->

• Synchronous : 3 images are on the same lane. Overtaking the other is not allowed. The race is finished one by one. If image number 3 stops, everyone stops.

• Asynchronous: 3 images are on different Lanes. They'll finish the race on their own pace. Nobody stops for anybody

Examples

Before starting our project, Let's look at examples and clear our doubts.

Synchronous

To test The synchronous system, Write these on JavaScript

console.log(" I ");console.log(" eat ");console.log(" Ice Cream ");

The result on console

Asynchronous

Let's say it takes 2 seconds to eat ice cream,
Now, let's test The Asynchronous system, Write these on JavaScript.

Note : Don't worry, we'll discuss setTimeout() function in this article.

console.log("I");// This will be shown after 2 secondssetTimeout(()=>{  console.log("eat");},2000)console.log("Ice Cream")

The result on console

Setup

• For This project you can just open Codepen.io and start coding. Or, you can do it on VS code.

• Open The JavaScript section

• Once done, open your Developer console window. We'll write code and see the results on the console.

What are Callbacks?

Nesting a function inside another function as an argument are called callbacks.

An illustration of callback ->

Note : Don't worry, Examples are coming.

Why do we use callbacks?

When doing a complex task, we break that task down into small steps. To establish relationship between these steps according to time(Optional) & order, we use callbacks.

Take a look at this

These are the small steps needed to make ice cream. Also note, order of the steps and timing are crucial. You can't just chop the fruit and serve ice cream.

At the same time, if previous step is not completed, we can't move to the next step.

To explain that in more details, let's start our ice cream shop business

But Wait....

We're gonna have 2 sides.

• The store room will have ingredients [Our Backend]
• We'll produce ice cream on our kitchen [The frontend]

Let's store our data

Now, we're gonna store our ingredients inside an object. Let's start !

store ingredients inside objects Like this

let stocks = {    Fruits : ["strawberry", "grapes", "banana", "apple"] }

Our other ingredients are here

Store them in JavaScript Object like this

let stocks = {    Fruits : ["strawberry", "grapes", "banana", "apple"],    liquid : ["water", "ice"],    holder : ["cone", "cup", "stick"],    toppings : ["chocolate", "peanuts"], };

The entire business depends on the order of our customers. Then, starts production and then we serve ice cream. So, we'll create 2 functions ->

• order
• production

See this illustration

Let's make our functions.

Note : We'll use arrow functions

let order = () =>{};let production = () =>{};

Now, Let's establish relationship between these 2 functions using a callback. see this

let order = (call_production) =>{  call_production();};let production = () =>{};

Let's do a small test

we'll use the console.log() function to conduct tests to clear our doubts regarding how we established the relationship between the 2 functions.

let order = (call_production) =>{console.log("Order placed. Please call production")// function  is being called   call_production();};let production = () =>{console.log("Production has started")};

To run the test, we'll call the order function. And we'll place the 2nd function named production as it's argument.

// name  of our second functionorder(production);

The result on our console

Take a break

So far so good, Take a break !

Clear our console.log

Keep these code and remove everything [don't delete our stocks variable]. On our 1st function, pass another argument so that we can receive the order [Fruit name]

// Function 1let order = (fruit_name, call_production) =>{  call_production();};// Function 2let production = () =>{};// Trigger order("", production);

Here's Our steps, and time each step will take to execute.

to establish the timing part, The function setTimeout() is excellent as it is also uses a callback by taking a function as an argument.

Now, Let's select our Fruit.

// 1st Functionlet order = (fruit_name, call_production) =>{  setTimeout(function(){    console.log(`${stocks.Fruits[fruit_name]} was selected`)// Order placed. Call production to start   call_production();  },2000)};// 2nd Functionlet production = () =>{  // blank for now};// Trigger order(0, production);

The result on our console

Note: Result displayed after 2 seconds.

If you're wondering how we picked the strawberry from our stock variable. Here's the code with format

Don't delete anything. start writing on our production function.
Write these

Note: We'll use arrow functions.

let production = () =>{  setTimeout(()=>{    console.log("production has started")  },0000)};

The result

we'll nest another setTimeout function in our existing setTimeout function to chop the fruit. Like this

let production = () =>{  setTimeout(()=>{    console.log("production has started")    setTimeout(()=>{      console.log("The fruit has been chopped")    },2000)  },0000)};

The result

If you remember, this is the list of our steps.

Let's complete our ice cream production by nesting a function inside another [Also known as Callbacks ]

let production = () =>{  setTimeout(()=>{    console.log("production has started")    setTimeout(()=>{      console.log("The fruit has been chopped")      setTimeout(()=>{        console.log(`${stocks.liquid[0]} and ${stocks.liquid[1]} Added`)        setTimeout(()=>{          console.log("start the machine")          setTimeout(()=>{            console.log(`Ice cream placed on ${stocks.holder[1]}`)            setTimeout(()=>{              console.log(`${stocks.toppings[0]} as toppings`)              setTimeout(()=>{                console.log("serve Ice cream")              },2000)            },3000)          },2000)        },1000)      },1000)    },2000)  },0000)};

Our result on console

Feeling confused ?

This is called a callback hell. It looks something like this

What's the solution to this?

Promises

This was invented to solve the callback hell problem and to better handle our tasks.

Take a break

But first, Take a break !

This is how a promise looks like.

Let's Dissect Promises together !

There're 3 states of a promise

• Pending : This is the initial stage. Nothing happens here. Think like this, your customer is taking his time to give an order. But, hasn't ordered anything.
• Resolve : This means that your customer has received his food and is happy.
• Reject : This means that your customer didn't receive his order and left the restaurant.

Let's adopt promises to our ice cream production.

But wait......

We need to understand 4 more things ->

• Relationship between time & work
• Promise chaining
• Error handling
• .finally handler

Let's start our ice cream shop and understand them one by one by taking small baby steps.

Relationship of time & work

If you remember, these are our steps & time each takes to make ice cream.

For this to happen, Let's create a variable in JavaScript

let is_shop_open = true;

now create a function named [ order ] and pass 2 arguments named [ work, time ]

let order = ( time, work ) =>{  }

Now, we're gonna make a promise to our customer, "We will serve you ice-cream" Like this ->

let order = ( time, work ) =>{  return new Promise( ( resolve, reject )=>{ } )  }

Note : Our promise has 2 parts ->

• Resolve [ ice cream delivered ]
• Reject [ customer didn't get ice cream ]

let order = ( time, work ) => {  return new Promise( ( resolve, reject )=>{    if( is_shop_open ){      resolve( )    }    else{      reject( console.log("Our shop is closed") )    }  })}

Let's add the time & work factor inside our Promise using a [ setTimeout() ] function inside our [ if statement ]. Follow me

Note : In real life, you can avoid the time factor as well. This is completely dependent on the nature of your work.

let order = ( time, work ) => {  return new Promise( ( resolve, reject )=>{    if( is_shop_open ){      setTimeout(()=>{       // work is  getting done here        resolve( work() )// Setting  time here for 1 work       }, time)    }    else{      reject( console.log("Our shop is closed") )    }  })}

Now, we're gonna use our newly created function to start ice-cream production. Let's start !

// Set  time hereorder( 2000, ()=>console.log(`${stocks.Fruits[0]} was selected`))//    pass a  function here to start working

The result after 2 seconds

good job !

Promise chaining

In this method, we are defining what to do when 1st task is complete using the [ .then handler ]. It looks something like this

The [ .then handler ] returns a promise when our original promise was resolved.

Example :

Let me make it more simple, It's similar to giving instruction to someone. You're telling someone to " First do This, Then do this, then this, then...., then...., then...., etc.

• The first task is our [ original ] promise.
• The rest are returning our promise once 1 small work is completed

Let's implement this on our project. At the bottom write these.

Note : don't forget to write the [ return ] word inside our [ .then handler ] Otherwise, it won't work properly. If you're curious, try removing the [ return ] word once we finish the steps

order(2000,()=>console.log(`${stocks.Fruits[0]} was selected`)).then(()=>{  return order(0000,()=>console.log('production has started'))})

The result

using the same system, let's finish our project

// step 1order(2000,()=>console.log(`${stocks.Fruits[0]} was selected`))// step 2.then(()=>{  return order(0000,()=>console.log('production has started'))})// step 3.then(()=>{  return order(2000, ()=>console.log("Fruit has been chopped"))})// step 4.then(()=>{  return order(1000, ()=>console.log(`${stocks.liquid[0]} and ${stocks.liquid[1]} added`))})// step 5.then(()=>{  return order(1000, ()=>console.log("start the machine"))})// step 6.then(()=>{  return order(2000, ()=>console.log(`ice cream placed on ${stocks.holder[1]}`))})// step 7.then(()=>{  return order(3000, ()=>console.log(`${stocks.toppings[0]} as toppings`))})// Step 8.then(()=>{  return order(2000, ()=>console.log("Serve Ice Cream"))})

The result

Error handling

This is used to handle our errors when something goes unexpected. But first, understand the promise cycle

To catch our error, let's change our variable to false.

let is_shop_open = false;

Which means our shop is closed. We're not selling ice cream to our customers.

To handle this, we use the [ .catch handler] . Just like the [ .then handler ], It also returns a promise, only when our original promise is rejected.

A small reminder here -

• [.then] works when promise is resolved
• [.catch] works when promise is rejected

come at the very bottom and write

Note : There should be nothing between your previous .then handler and the .catch handler

.catch(()=>{  console.log("Customer left")})

The result

Note :

• 1st message is coming from the reject() part of our promise
• 2nd message is coming from .catch handler

.finally() handler

There's something called the finally handler which works regardless whether our promise was resolved or rejected.

For an example : Serve 0 customer or 100 customers, Our shop will close at the end of the day

If you're curious to test this, come at very bottom and write these

.finally(()=>{  console.log("end of day")})

The result

Everyone ! Please welcome Async / Await !

Async / Await

This is Claimed to be the better way to write promises and helps to keep our code simple & clean.

All you have to do is, write the word [ async ] before any regular function and it becomes a promise.

But first, Take a break

Let's have a look

Before

To make a promise we wrote

function order(){   return new Promise( (resolve, reject) =>{    // Write code here   } )}

Now [ using Async / Await ]

In Async / Await method, we make promise like this

// the magical keyword async function order() {    // Write code here }

But wait......

You need to understand ->

• try, catch usage
• How to use the Await keyword

Try, Catch usage

[ Try ] keyword is used to run our code [ catch ] is used to catch our errors. It's the same concept as of the one we saw on promises.

Let's see a comparison

Note : We'll see a small demo of the format, then we'll start coding

Promises -> Resolve, reject

We used resolve & reject in promises like this ->

function kitchen(){  return new Promise ((resolve, reject)=>{    if(true){       resolve("promise is fulfilled")    }    else{        reject("error caught here")    }  })}kitchen()  // run the code.then()    // next step.then()    // next step.catch()   // error caught here.finally() // end of the promise [optional]

Async / Await -> try, catch

Here we work like this format

// Magical keywordasync function kitchen(){   try{// Let's create a fake problem            await abc;   }   catch(error){      console.log("abc does not exist", error)   }   finally{      console.log("Runs code anyways")   }}kitchen()  // run the code

Note : don't panic, we'll discuss about the [await keyword] next

you can notice, the difference between promises, Async / Await

The Await keyword usage

The keyword [ await ] makes JavaScript wait until that promise settles and returns its result.

A practical example

We don't know which topping customer prefers, Chocolate or peanuts?
We need to stop our machine, go and ask our customer, "Sir, which topping would you love ?"

Notice here, only Our kitchen is stopped, but our staff outside the kitchen will still work like

• doing the dishes
• cleaning the tables
• taking orders, etc.

A Code Example

Let's create a small promise, to ask which topping to use. The process takes 3 seconds.

function toppings_choice (){  return new Promise((resolve,reject)=>{    setTimeout(()=>{      resolve( console.log("which topping would you love?") )    },3000)  })}

now, let's create our kitchen function with the async keyword at first.

async function kitchen(){  console.log("A")  console.log("B")  console.log("C")  await toppings_choice()  console.log("D")  console.log("E")}// Trigger the functionkitchen();

Let's add other works below the kitchen() call.

console.log("doing the dishes")console.log("cleaning the tables")console.log("taking orders")

The result

We are literally going outside our kitchen to ask our customer, "what is your toppings choice?" In the mean time, other works are done.

Once, we get the toppings choice, we enter the kitchen and finish the job.

Small note

When using Async/ Await, you can also use the [ .then, .catch, .finally ] handlers as well which are a core part of promises.

Let's Open our Ice cream shop Again

We're gonna create 2 functions ->

• kitchen : to make ice cream
• time : assigning amount of time each small task will need to accomplish.

Let's start ! First, create the time function ->

let is_shop_open = true;function time(ms) {   return new Promise( (resolve, reject) => {      if(is_shop_open){         setTimeout(resolve,ms);      }      else{         reject(console.log("Shop is closed"))      }    });}

Now, Let's create our kitchen ->

async function kitchen(){   try{     // instruction here   }   catch(error){    // error management here   }}// Triggerkitchen();

Let's give small instructions and test if our kitchen function is working or not

async function kitchen(){   try{// time taken to perform this 1 task     await time(2000)     console.log(`${stocks.Fruits[0]} was selected`)   }   catch(error){     console.log("Customer left", error)   }   finally{      console.log("Day ended, shop closed")    }}// Triggerkitchen();

The result, When shop is open

The result when shop is closed

So far so good !

Let's complete our project.

Here's the list of our task again

first, open our shop

let is_shop_open = true;

Now write the steps inside our kitchen() function following the steps

async function kitchen(){    try{    await time(2000)    console.log(`${stocks.Fruits[0]} was selected`)    await time(0000)    console.log("production has started")    await time(2000)    console.log("fruit has been chopped")    await time(1000)    console.log(`${stocks.liquid[0]} and ${stocks.liquid[1]} added`)    await time(1000)    console.log("start the machine")    await time(2000)    console.log(`ice cream placed on ${stocks.holder[1]}`)    await time(3000)    console.log(`${stocks.toppings[0]} as toppings`)    await time(2000)    console.log("Serve Ice Cream")    }    catch(error){     console.log("customer left")    }}

The result

Conclusion

Here's Your Medal For reading till the end

Suggestions & Criticisms Are Highly Appreciated

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Credits -

• Collection of all the images used
• Unicorns, kitty avatar
• tabby cat, Astrologist Woman, girl-holding-flower
• Character emotions