Asynchronous Programming
A programming model where tasks run concurrently without blocking execution flow.
Also: async/await · non-blocking programming
Definition
Asynchronous programming is a paradigm that allows programs to initiate long-running tasks and continue executing other code without waiting for those tasks to complete. Using callbacks, promises, async/await, or event loops, asynchronous code efficiently handles I/O-bound operations like network requests and file reads. This model is fundamental to JavaScript (via the event loop) and improves throughput by avoiding idle CPU time during waiting periods.
Example
“A Node.js web server handles thousands of simultaneous database queries asynchronously using async/await, serving responses as each query completes without blocking other requests.”
Synonyms
- non-blocking programming
- concurrent programming
- async/await
- event loop
Antonyms / Opposites
- synchronous programming
- blocking I/O
Images
CC-licensed · free to useVideo
Related Terms
- nodejs
- event-driven
- message-queue
- thread