Run a async function within synchronously

Question

I have a requirement to run an async function synchronously, I have tried the below approach. But the results are still async,

const asyncFunction = async () => {
  const count = await testSchema.countDocuments(); //Get total count from mongoDB
  console.log("COUNT ", count);
  return count;
};

console.log("BEFORE ASYNC FUNCTION");
(async () => {
  await asyncFunction();
})();
console.log("AFTER ASYNC FUNCTION");

Output,

BEFORE ASYNC FUNCTION
AFTER ASYNC FUNCTION
COUNT  0

You cannot make an asynchronous function into a synchronous function. — Pointy
– Pointy, Commented Jul 14, 2021 at 18:58
If you move console.log("AFTER ASYNC FUNCTION"); up a line it would work. — crashmstr
– crashmstr, Commented Jul 14, 2021 at 19:03
"I have a requirement to run an async function synchronously": no need to read further. This should never be your requirement. Embrace asynchrony: everything is possible with it. — trincot
– trincot, Commented Jul 14, 2021 at 19:04
I have a requirement to run an async function synchronously - something has been lost in translation. Either between the person who gave you the requirement and you, or you and SO. I would suggest you go back and clarify what the person who gave you the requirement actually wants (not just the "make async be sync", but what the "why" they want that) — Adam Jenkins
– Adam Jenkins, Commented Jul 14, 2021 at 19:07
@VinayGowda This approach does not (can not) work. You have to deal with the asynchrony everywhere in your call chain, there's no way around it. — Bergi
– Bergi, Commented Jul 14, 2021 at 19:22

Nicholas Carey · Accepted Answer · 2021-07-14 19:33:04Z

3

You need to wrap everything in async. If you say...

async function main() {

  console.log("BEFORE ASYNC FUNCTION");

  await asyncFunction();

  console.log("AFTER ASYNC FUNCTION"); 

}
main();

const asyncFunction = async () => {
  const count = await testSchema.countDocuments(); //Get total count from mongoDB
  console.log("COUNT ", count);
  return count;
};

main() returns a promise and is asynchronous... but we don't care.

answered Jul 14, 2021 at 19:33

Nicholas Carey

75.1k16 gold badges96 silver badges138 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Run a async function within synchronously

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related