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When working with asynchronous code in JavaScript and TypeScript, one of the most common patterns involves using `async/await` along with `try/catch` blocks for handling errors. While this pattern is widely adopted, it can clutter your code with repetitive try/catch logic. Enter the `await-of` package, a handy utility that simplifies this pattern by enabling you to destructure the result and error from an asynchronous function directly.
In this post, we’ll dive into the `await-of` package, explore its benefits, and touch on some potential drawbacks. We’ll also provide code examples to demonstrate its usage and explain why this tool might be a good fit for your project—or not.
What is `await-of`?
`await-of` is a small utility package designed to simplify async error handling in JavaScript and TypeScript. Instead of using the traditional `try/catch` block, `await-of` lets you handle the result and the error in a single destructured array. This can help tidy up your code by reducing the need for wrapping every asynchronous call in a `try/catch` block.
Installation
You can easily add the `await-of` package to your project by running:
npm install await-of
Benefits of `await-of`
1. Tidier Code
One of the key advantages of `await-of` is that it tidies up your code by eliminating the repetitive `try/catch` pattern. Let’s compare a traditional `try/catch` block with an example using `await-of`.
Without `await-of`:
async function getUser(id) {
try {
const user = await fetchUser(id);
return user;
} catch (error) {
console.error('Failed to fetch user:', error);
return null;
}
}
With `await-of`:
import { of } from 'await-of';
async function getUser(id) {
const [user, error] = await of(fetchUser(id));
if (error) {
console.error('Failed to fetch user:', error);
return null;
}
return user;
}
By using `await-of`, you can avoid the nested `try/catch` block, making your code cleaner and easier to follow.
2. Destructuring Results
`await-of` allows you to destructure the result and error into `const` variables directly, making it clear what you are handling. This pattern allows you to define your variables inline, avoiding the need to define them before the `try/catch` block.
Here’s a more complex example:
async function processData(userId) {
const [user, userError] = await of(fetchUser(userId));
const [posts, postsError] = await of(fetchUserPosts(userId));
if (userError) {
console.error('Error fetching user:', userError);
return;
}
if (postsError) {
console.error('Error fetching posts:', postsError);
return;
}
return { user, posts };
}
Notice how each asynchronous call is handled in a consistent and clean way using destructuring.
Potential Drawbacks of `await-of`
While `await-of` brings significant improvements to async code readability, it’s not without its downsides.
1. Requires a Shift in Error Handling Mindset
Using `await-of` changes the way you think about error handling. Instead of catching errors in a `catch` block, you’re explicitly checking whether an error has occurred by examining the second value in the destructured array. This shift may require some adjustment, especially if you’re used to the more traditional `try/catch` approach.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison:
Traditional `try/catch`:
try {
const data = await someAsyncFunction();
// Do something with data
} catch (error) {
console.error('An error occurred:', error);
}
With `await-of`:
const [data, error] = await of(someAsyncFunction());
if (error) {
console.error('An error occurred:', error);
}
While this might seem like a minor difference, the need to explicitly handle the error could lead to missing errors if you forget to check the second value. This introduces a different form of discipline when writing async code.
2. Unfamiliarity for New Team Members
In TypeScript, destructuring arrays is a common pattern. However, returning multiple values from a function inside an array (which is what `await-of` effectively does) may not be immediately intuitive for some developers. This pattern can be confusing, particularly for those who are new to JavaScript or TypeScript or those unfamiliar with how `await-of` works.
For example, in the following snippet, someone unfamiliar with this pattern might be unclear about why an array is being returned:
const [data, error] = await of(someAsyncFunction());
If this pattern is used extensively throughout a codebase, it may require some onboarding or documentation to ensure new developers understand what’s happening.
The `await-of` package is a useful tool for simplifying asynchronous code in JavaScript and TypeScript, offering a cleaner, more streamlined alternative to traditional `try/catch` blocks. By using destructuring, it lets you handle results and errors more concisely. However, it’s important to consider the shift in error-handling philosophy and potential confusion for new developers before adopting it widely in your codebase.
If your goal is to improve code clarity and reduce boilerplate, `await-of` can be a great addition. However, if your team values familiarity and explicit error handling, you might want to weigh the trade-offs before diving in.
For those who want to give it a shot, try installing `await-of` in your next project and see how it works for you!
Happy coding!
