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Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Callbacks in JavaScript: A Comprehensive Guide

Learn how synchronous and asynchronous callbacks work in JavaScript and when to use each one with updated code examples

Max N
3 min readMar 27, 2024

JavaScript is a single-threaded programming language, which means it can only execute one task at a time. However, there are situations where you need to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, like making API calls or reading files from disk. To handle such scenarios, JavaScript uses two types of callback functions — synchronous and asynchronous.

In this article, we will discuss what synchronous and asynchronous callbacks are, their differences, advantages, and disadvantages, along with some updated code examples. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a solid understanding of these concepts and know when to use them appropriately.

What are Callback Functions?

A callback function is a function passed as an argument to another function to be executed later. It allows us to defer execution of a function until a specific event occurs, such as clicking on a button or receiving data from an API call.

Synchronous Callbacks

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Max N
Max N

Written by Max N

A writer that writes about JavaScript and Python to beginners. If you find my articles helpful, feel free to follow.

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