Asynchronous vs synchronous execution, what does it really mean? [closed]

Answer 1

In regards to the "at the same time" definition of synchronous execution (which is sometimes confusing), here's a good way to understand it:

Synchronous Execution: All tasks within a block of code are all executed at the same time.

Asynchronous Execution: All tasks within a block of code are not all executed at the same time.

Answer 2

Simple Explanation via analogy

Synchronous Execution

My boss is a busy man. He tells me to write the code. I tell him: Fine. I get started and he's watching me like a vulture, standing behind me, off my shoulder. I'm like "Dude, WTF: why don't you go and do something while I finish this?"

he's like: "No, I'm waiting right here until you finish." This is synchronous.

Asynchronous Execution

The boss tells me to do it, and rather than waiting right there for my work, the boss goes off and does other tasks. When I finish my job I simply report to my boss and say: "I'm DONE!" This is Asynchronous Execution.

(Take my advice: NEVER work with the boss behind you.)

Answer 3

When executing a sequence like: a>b>c>d>, if we get a failure in the middle of execution like:

a
b
c
fail

Then we re-start from the beginning:

a
b
c
d

this is synchronous

If, however, we have the same sequence to execute: a>b>c>d>, and we have a failure in the middle:

a
b
c
fail

...but instead of restarting from the beginning, we re-start from the point of failure:

c
d

...this is know as asynchronous.

Answer 4

I think this is bit round-about explanation but still it clarifies using real life example.

Small Example:

Let's say playing an audio involves three steps:

1. Getting the compressed song from harddisk
2. Decompress the audio.
3. Play the uncompressed audio.

If your audio player does step 1,2,3 sequentially for every song then it is synchronous. You will have to wait for some time to hear the song till the song actually gets fetched and decompressed.

If your audio player does step 1,2,3 independent of each other, then it is asynchronous. ie. While playing audio 1 ( step 3), if it fetches audio 3 from harddisk in parallel (step 1) and it decompresses the audio 2 in parallel. (step 2 ) You will end up in hearing the song without waiting much for fetch and decompress.

Answer 5

In simpler terms:

SYNCHRONOUS

You are in a queue to get a movie ticket. You cannot get one until everybody in front of you gets one, and the same applies to the people queued behind you.

ASYNCHRONOUS

You are in a restaurant with many other people. You order your food. Other people can also order their food, they don't have to wait for your food to be cooked and served to you before they can order. In the kitchen restaurant workers are continuously cooking, serving, and taking orders. People will get their food served as soon as it is cooked.

Answer 6

Synchronous means queue way execution one by one task will be executed. Suppose there is only vehicle that need to be share among friend to reach their destination one by one vehicle will be share.
In asynchronous case each friend can get rented vehicle and reach its destination.