SyntaxError: Unexpected reserved word 'await' in JS

JavaScript is one of the popular programming languages that are widely used to develop web applications. Like any other programming language, it has its own set of rules and syntax that must be followed to avoid errors.

One of the common errors that JavaScript developers face is the "SyntaxError: Unexpected reserved word 'await'" error. In this blog post, we will explain the causes of this error and how to fix it.

What Causes the SyntaxError: 'Unexpected reserved word 'await'' Error?

The "SyntaxError: Unexpected reserved word 'await'" error occurs when the code tries to use the await keyword outside an async function. The await operator is used to wait for a Promise to resolve before moving on to the next statement.

Since the await operator can only be used inside an async function, using it outside of an async function will result in a SyntaxError.

Let's take a look at an example to understand this better.

function fetchData() {
  const response = await fetch('https://example.com/data');
  const data = await response.json();
  return data;
}

fetchData();

In the above example, the await keyword is used inside the fetchData() function. However, since the function is not an async function, the code will result in a SyntaxError.

How to Fix the SyntaxError: 'Unexpected reserved word 'await'' Error?

To fix the "SyntaxError: Unexpected reserved word 'await'" error, you need to use the await operator inside an async function.

Here's an example:

async function fetchData() {
  const response = await fetch('https://example.com/data');
  const data = await response.json();
  return data;
}

fetchData();

In the above example, the fetchData() function is an async function, and the await operator is used inside the function. This code will run without any SyntaxError.

To summarize, when you use the await operator, make sure you are using it inside an async function. If you use it outside of an async function, it will result in the "SyntaxError: Unexpected reserved word 'await'" error.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have explained the causes of the "SyntaxError: Unexpected reserved word 'await'" error in JavaScript and how to fix it. Remember to use the await operator only inside an async function to avoid this error.

JavaScript can be a tricky language at times, but with a little bit of practice and understanding of its syntax, you can become a pro in no time. We hope this blog post has been informative and helps you avoid future errors.