# async/await — Node.js

Source: https://www.geekswithgeeks.com/en/nodejs/node-async-await

> Write asynchronous code that reads like synchronous code.

## await pauses, doesn't block

`await` pauses the surrounding `async` function until the Promise settles — the rest of Node keeps running.

```javascript
import { readFile } from "node:fs/promises";

async function loadNotes() {
  const data = await readFile("notes.txt", "utf8");
  console.log(data.length, "characters");
}

loadNotes();
```

## Parallel with Promise.all

Awaiting one call at a time is sequential — use `Promise.all` to run them together.

```javascript
async function loadBoth() {
  const [notes, config] = await Promise.all([
    readFile("notes.txt", "utf8"),
    readFile("config.json", "utf8"),
  ]);
  console.log(notes.length, config.length);
}
```

**Quiz:** What happens to the rest of Node while one function awaits a Promise?

- [ ] It freezes completely
- [x] It keeps running other work
- [ ] It restarts the event loop

*Answer:* It keeps running other work. `await` only pauses the current async function — the event loop is free to handle other events meanwhile.