JavaScript Async/Await for x Seconds

In JavaScript, async/await is a powerful feature that allows you to write asynchronous code that looks and behaves like synchronous code. It can make your code easier to read and understand by simplifying the flow of control.

However, there may be times when you need to wait for a certain amount of time before continuing with the next step in your code. In this article, we will explore how to use async/await to wait for a specified number of seconds before moving on to the next section of code.

Using Timeout with Promises

One way to wait for a certain amount of time in JavaScript is to use the setTimeout function in combination with promises. Here's an example of how you can use this technique:

function wait(ms) {
  return new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, ms));
}

async function someFunction() {
  // Do some work here

  await wait(5000); // Wait for 5 seconds

  // Continue with the next step
}

In the code above, we defined a wait function that returns a promise that resolves after a specified amount of time using setTimeout. We then used this function inside an async function to wait for 5 seconds before continuing with the next step in the function.

Using Async/Await to Wait for x Seconds

Alternatively, you can also use the setTimeout function with async/await to wait for a specified amount of time. Here's an example of this approach:

function wait(ms) {
  return new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, ms));
}

async function someFunction() {
  // Do some work here

  await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 5000)); // Wait for 5 seconds

  // Continue with the next step
}

In the code above, we used setTimeout to create a new promise that resolves after 5 seconds. We then used await to wait for this promise to resolve before continuing with the next step in the function.

Conclusion

Using async/await with setTimeout functions can be a powerful way to wait for a specified amount of time before continuing with your code. Whether you prefer using promises or directly using setTimeout, it's important to remember to use this technique wisely to avoid unnecessary blocking of your code's execution.