异步编程:使用 Future 和 async-await
- Why asynchronous code matters
- What is a future?
- Working with futures: async and await
- Handling errors
- Exercise: Putting it all together
- What's next?
This codelab teaches you how to write asynchronous code using
futures and the async and await keywords.
Using embedded DartPad editors, you can test your knowledge by
running example code and completing exercises.
To get the most out of this codelab, you should have the following:
- Knowledge of basic Dart syntax.
- Some experience writing asynchronous code in another language.
This codelab covers the following material:
-
How and when to use the
asyncandawaitkeywords. -
How using
asyncandawaitaffects execution order. -
How to handle errors from an asynchronous call using
try-catchexpressions inasyncfunctions.
Estimated time to complete this codelab: 40-60 minutes.
The exercises in this codelab have partially completed code
snippets. You can use DartPad to test your knowledge by completing
the code and clicking the Run button.
Don't edit the test code in the main function or
below.
If you need help, expand the Hint or Solution dropdown after each exercise.
Why asynchronous code matters
#Asynchronous operations let your program complete work while waiting for another operation to finish. Here are some common asynchronous operations:
- Fetching data over a network.
- Writing to a database.
- Reading data from a file.
Such asynchronous computations usually provide their result as a
Future or, if the result has multiple parts, as a
Stream. These computations introduce asynchrony into a
program. To accommodate that initial asynchrony, other plain Dart
functions also need to become asynchronous.
To interact with these asynchronous results, you can use the
async and await keywords. Most
asynchronous functions are just async Dart functions that depend,
possibly deep down, on an inherently asynchronous computation.
Example: Incorrectly using an asynchronous function
#
The following example shows the wrong way to use an asynchronous
function (fetchUserOrder()). Later you'll fix the
example using async and await. Before
running this example, try to spot the issue -- what do you think the
output will be?
// This example shows how *not* to write asynchronous Dart code.
String createOrderMessage() {
var order = fetchUserOrder();
return 'Your order is: $order';
}
Future<String> fetchUserOrder() =>
// Imagine that this function is more complex and slow.
Future.delayed(
const Duration(seconds: 2),
() => 'Large Latte',
);
void main() {
print(createOrderMessage());
}
Here's why the example fails to print the value that
fetchUserOrder() eventually produces:
-
fetchUserOrder()is an asynchronous function that, after a delay, provides a string that describes the user's order: a "Large Latte". -
To get the user's order,
createOrderMessage()should callfetchUserOrder()and wait for it to finish. BecausecreateOrderMessage()does not wait forfetchUserOrder()to finish,createOrderMessage()fails to get the string value thatfetchUserOrder()eventually provides. -
Instead,
createOrderMessage()gets a representation of pending work to be done: an uncompleted future. You'll learn more about futures in the next section. -
Because
createOrderMessage()fails to get the value describing the user's order, the example fails to print "Large Latte" to the console, and instead prints "Your order is: Instance of '_Future<String>'".
In the next sections you'll learn about futures and about working
with futures (using async and await) so
that you'll be able to write the code necessary to make
fetchUserOrder() print the desired value ("Large
Latte") to the console.
What is a future?
#A future (lower case "f") is an instance of the Future (capitalized "F") class. A future represents the result of an asynchronous operation, and can have two states: uncompleted or completed.
Uncompleted
#When you call an asynchronous function, it returns an uncompleted future. That future is waiting for the function's asynchronous operation to finish or to throw an error.
Completed
#If the asynchronous operation succeeds, the future completes with a value. Otherwise, it completes with an error.
Completing with a value
#
A future of type Future<T> completes with a value
of type T. For example, a future with type
Future<String> produces a string value. If a
future doesn't produce a usable value, then the future's type is
Future<void>.
Completing with an error
#If the asynchronous operation performed by the function fails for any reason, the future completes with an error.
Example: Introducing futures
#
In the following example, fetchUserOrder() returns a
future that completes after printing to the console. Because it
doesn't return a usable value, fetchUserOrder() has the
type Future<void>. Before you run the example,
try to predict which will print first: "Large Latte" or "Fetching
user order...".
Future<void> fetchUserOrder() {
// Imagine that this function is fetching user info from another service or database.
return Future.delayed(const Duration(seconds: 2), () => print('Large Latte'));
}
void main() {
fetchUserOrder();
print('Fetching user order...');
}
In the preceding example, even though
fetchUserOrder() executes before the
print() call on line 8, the console shows the output
from line 8("Fetching user order...") before the output from
fetchUserOrder() ("Large Latte"). This is because
fetchUserOrder() delays before it prints "Large Latte".
Example: Completing with an error
#Run the following example to see how a future completes with an error. A bit later you'll learn how to handle the error.
Future<void> fetchUserOrder() {
// Imagine that this function is fetching user info but encounters a bug.
return Future.delayed(
const Duration(seconds: 2),
() => throw Exception('Logout failed: user ID is invalid'),
);
}
void main() {
fetchUserOrder();
print('Fetching user order...');
}
In this example, fetchUserOrder() completes with an
error indicating that the user ID is invalid.
You've learned about futures and how they complete, but how do you
use the results of asynchronous functions? In the next section
you'll learn how to get results with the async and
await keywords.
Working with futures: async and await
#
The async and await keywords provide a
declarative way to define asynchronous functions and use their
results. Remember these two basic guidelines when using
async and await:
-
To define an async function, add
asyncbefore the function body: -
The
awaitkeyword works only inasyncfunctions.
Here's an example that converts main() from a
synchronous to asynchronous function.
First, add the async keyword before the function body:
void main() async { ··· }
If the function has a declared return type, then update the type to
be Future<T>, where T is the type of
the value that the function returns. If the function doesn't
explicitly return a value, then the return type is
Future<void>:
Future<void> main() async { ··· }
Now that you have an async function, you can use the
await keyword to wait for a future to complete:
print(await createOrderMessage());
As the following two examples show, the async and
await keywords result in asynchronous code that looks a
lot like synchronous code. The only differences are highlighted in
the asynchronous example, which—if your window is wide enough—is to
the right of the synchronous example.
Example: synchronous functions
#String createOrderMessage() {
var order = fetchUserOrder();
return 'Your order is: $order';
}
Future<String> fetchUserOrder() =>
// Imagine that this function is
// more complex and slow.
Future.delayed(
const Duration(seconds: 2),
() => 'Large Latte',
);
void main() {
print('Fetching user order...');
print(createOrderMessage());
}
Fetching user order...
Your order is: Instance of '_Future<String>'
Example: asynchronous functions
#Future<String> createOrderMessage() async {
var order = await fetchUserOrder();
return 'Your order is: $order';
}
Future<String> fetchUserOrder() =>
// Imagine that this function is
// more complex and slow.
Future.delayed(
const Duration(seconds: 2),
() => 'Large Latte',
);
Future<void> main() async {
print('Fetching user order...');
print(await createOrderMessage());
}
Fetching user order...
Your order is: Large Latte
The asynchronous example is different in three ways:
-
The return type for
createOrderMessage()changes fromStringtoFuture<String>. -
The
asynckeyword appears before the function bodies forcreateOrderMessage()andmain(). -
The
awaitkeyword appears before calling the asynchronous functionsfetchUserOrder()andcreateOrderMessage().
Execution flow with async and await
#
An async function runs synchronously until the first
await keyword. This means that within an
async function body, all synchronous code before the
first await keyword executes immediately.
Example: Execution within async functions
#
Run the following example to see how execution proceeds within an
async function body. What do you think the output will
be?
Future<void> printOrderMessage() async {
print('Awaiting user order...');
var order = await fetchUserOrder();
print('Your order is: $order');
}
Future<String> fetchUserOrder() {
// Imagine that this function is more complex and slow.
return Future.delayed(const Duration(seconds: 4), () => 'Large Latte');
}
void main() async {
countSeconds(4);
await printOrderMessage();
}
// You can ignore this function - it's here to visualize delay time in this example.
void countSeconds(int s) {
for (var i = 1; i <= s; i++) {
Future.delayed(Duration(seconds: i), () => print(i));
}
}
After running the code in the preceding example, try reversing lines 2 and 3:
var order = await fetchUserOrder();
print('Awaiting user order...');
Notice that timing of the output shifts, now that
print('Awaiting user order') appears after the first
await keyword in printOrderMessage().
Exercise: Practice using async and await
#
The following exercise is a failing unit test that contains
partially completed code snippets. Your task is to complete the
exercise by writing code to make the tests pass. You don't need to
implement main().
To simulate asynchronous operations, call the following functions, which are provided for you:
| Function | Type signature | Description |
|---|---|---|
| fetchRole() | Future<String> fetchRole() |
Gets a short description of the user's role. |
| fetchLoginAmount() | Future<int> fetchLoginAmount() |
Gets the number of times a user has logged in. |
Part 1: reportUserRole()
#
Add code to the reportUserRole() function so that it
does the following:
-
Returns a future that completes with the following string:
"User role: <user role>"-
Note: You must use the actual value returned by
fetchRole(); copying and pasting the example return value won't make the test pass. - Example return value:
"User role: tester"
-
Note: You must use the actual value returned by
-
Gets the user role by calling the provided function
fetchRole().
Part 2: reportLogins()
#
Implement an async function
reportLogins() so that it does the following:
-
Returns the string
"Total number of logins: <# of logins>".-
Note: You must use the actual value returned by
fetchLoginAmount(); copying and pasting the example return value won't make the test pass. -
Example return value from
reportLogins():"Total number of logins: 57"
-
Note: You must use the actual value returned by
-
Gets the number of logins by calling the provided function
fetchLoginAmount().
// Part 1
// Call the provided async function fetchRole()
// to return the user role.
Future<String> reportUserRole() async {
// TODO: Implement the reportUserRole function here.
}
// Part 2
// TODO: Implement the reportLogins function here.
// Call the provided async function fetchLoginAmount()
// to return the number of times that the user has logged in.
reportLogins() {}
// The following functions those provided to you to simulate
// asynchronous operations that could take a while.
Future<String> fetchRole() => Future.delayed(_halfSecond, () => _role);
Future<int> fetchLoginAmount() => Future.delayed(_halfSecond, () => _logins);
// The following code is used to test and provide feedback on your solution.
// There is no need to read or modify it.
void main() async {
print('Testing...');
List<String> messages = [];
const passed = 'PASSED';
const testFailedMessage = 'Test failed for the function:';
const typoMessage = 'Test failed! Check for typos in your return value';
try {
messages
..add(_makeReadable(
testLabel: 'Part 1',
testResult: await _asyncEquals(
expected: 'User role: administrator',
actual: await reportUserRole(),
typoKeyword: _role,
),
readableErrors: {
typoMessage: typoMessage,
'null':
'Test failed! Did you forget to implement or return from reportUserRole?',
'User role: Instance of \'Future<String>\'':
'$testFailedMessage reportUserRole. Did you use the await keyword?',
'User role: Instance of \'_Future<String>\'':
'$testFailedMessage reportUserRole. Did you use the await keyword?',
'User role:':
'$testFailedMessage reportUserRole. Did you return a user role?',
'User role: ':
'$testFailedMessage reportUserRole. Did you return a user role?',
'User role: tester':
'$testFailedMessage reportUserRole. Did you invoke fetchRole to fetch the user\'s role?',
}))
..add(_makeReadable(
testLabel: 'Part 2',
testResult: await _asyncEquals(
expected: 'Total number of logins: 42',
actual: await reportLogins(),
typoKeyword: _logins.toString(),
),
readableErrors: {
typoMessage: typoMessage,
'null':
'Test failed! Did you forget to implement or return from reportLogins?',
'Total number of logins: Instance of \'Future<int>\'':
'$testFailedMessage reportLogins. Did you use the await keyword?',
'Total number of logins: Instance of \'_Future<int>\'':
'$testFailedMessage reportLogins. Did you use the await keyword?',
'Total number of logins: ':
'$testFailedMessage reportLogins. Did you return the number of logins?',
'Total number of logins:':
'$testFailedMessage reportLogins. Did you return the number of logins?',
'Total number of logins: 57':
'$testFailedMessage reportLogins. Did you invoke fetchLoginAmount to fetch the number of user logins?',
}))
..removeWhere((m) => m.contains(passed))
..toList();
if (messages.isEmpty) {
print('Success. All tests passed!');
} else {
messages.forEach(print);
}
} on UnimplementedError {
print(
'Test failed! Did you forget to implement or return from reportUserRole?');
} catch (e) {
print('Tried to run solution, but received an exception: $e');
}
}
const _role = 'administrator';
const _logins = 42;
const _halfSecond = Duration(milliseconds: 500);
// Test helpers.
String _makeReadable({
required String testResult,
required Map<String, String> readableErrors,
required String testLabel,
}) {
if (readableErrors.containsKey(testResult)) {
var readable = readableErrors[testResult];
return '$testLabel $readable';
} else {
return '$testLabel $testResult';
}
}
// Assertions used in tests.
Future<String> _asyncEquals({
required String expected,
required dynamic actual,
required String typoKeyword,
}) async {
var strActual = actual is String ? actual : actual.toString();
try {
if (expected == actual) {
return 'PASSED';
} else if (strActual.contains(typoKeyword)) {
return 'Test failed! Check for typos in your return value';
} else {
return strActual;
}
} catch (e) {
return e.toString();
}
}
Hint
Did you remember to add the async keyword to the
reportUserRole function?
Did you remember to use the await keyword before
invoking fetchRole()?
Remember: reportUserRole needs to return a
Future.
Solution
Future<String> reportUserRole() async {
final username = await fetchRole();
return 'User role: $username';
}
Future<String> reportLogins() async {
final logins = await fetchLoginAmount();
return 'Total number of logins: $logins';
}
Handling errors
#
To handle errors in an async function, use try-catch:
try {
print('Awaiting user order...');
var order = await fetchUserOrder();
} catch (err) {
print('Caught error: $err');
}
Within an async function, you can write
try-catch clauses
the same way you would in synchronous code.
Example: async and await with try-catch
#Run the following example to see how to handle an error from an asynchronous function. What do you think the output will be?
Future<void> printOrderMessage() async {
try {
print('Awaiting user order...');
var order = await fetchUserOrder();
print(order);
} catch (err) {
print('Caught error: $err');
}
}
Future<String> fetchUserOrder() {
// Imagine that this function is more complex.
var str = Future.delayed(
const Duration(seconds: 4),
() => throw 'Cannot locate user order');
return str;
}
void main() async {
await printOrderMessage();
}
Exercise: Practice handling errors
#The following exercise provides practice handling errors with asynchronous code, using the approach described in the previous section. To simulate asynchronous operations, your code will call the following function, which is provided for you:
| Function | Type signature | Description |
|---|---|---|
| fetchNewUsername() | Future<String> fetchNewUsername() |
Returns the new username that you can use to replace an old one. |
Use async and await to implement an
asynchronous changeUsername() function that does the
following:
-
Calls the provided asynchronous function
fetchNewUsername()and returns its result.-
Example return value from
changeUsername():"jane_smith_92"
-
Example return value from
-
Catches any error that occurs and returns the string value of the
error.
- You can use the toString() method to stringify both Exceptions and Errors.
// TODO: Implement changeUsername here.
changeUsername() {}
// The following function is provided to you to simulate
// an asynchronous operation that could take a while and
// potentially throw an exception.
Future<String> fetchNewUsername() =>
Future.delayed(const Duration(milliseconds: 500), () => throw UserError());
class UserError implements Exception {
@override
String toString() => 'New username is invalid';
}
// The following code is used to test and provide feedback on your solution.
// There is no need to read or modify it.
void main() async {
final List<String> messages = [];
const typoMessage = 'Test failed! Check for typos in your return value';
print('Testing...');
try {
messages
..add(_makeReadable(
testLabel: '',
testResult: await _asyncDidCatchException(changeUsername),
readableErrors: {
typoMessage: typoMessage,
_noCatch:
'Did you remember to call fetchNewUsername within a try/catch block?',
}))
..add(_makeReadable(
testLabel: '',
testResult: await _asyncErrorEquals(changeUsername),
readableErrors: {
typoMessage: typoMessage,
_noCatch:
'Did you remember to call fetchNewUsername within a try/catch block?',
}))
..removeWhere((m) => m.contains(_passed))
..toList();
if (messages.isEmpty) {
print('Success. All tests passed!');
} else {
messages.forEach(print);
}
} catch (e) {
print('Tried to run solution, but received an exception: $e');
}
}
// Test helpers.
String _makeReadable({
required String testResult,
required Map<String, String> readableErrors,
required String testLabel,
}) {
if (readableErrors.containsKey(testResult)) {
final readable = readableErrors[testResult];
return '$testLabel $readable';
} else {
return '$testLabel $testResult';
}
}
Future<String> _asyncErrorEquals(Function fn) async {
final result = await fn();
if (result == UserError().toString()) {
return _passed;
} else {
return 'Test failed! Did you stringify and return the caught error?';
}
}
Future<String> _asyncDidCatchException(Function fn) async {
var caught = true;
try {
await fn();
} on UserError catch (_) {
caught = false;
}
if (caught == false) {
return _noCatch;
} else {
return _passed;
}
}
const _passed = 'PASSED';
const _noCatch = 'NO_CATCH';
Hint
Implement changeUsername to return the string from
fetchNewUsername or, if that fails, the string value
of any error that occurs.
Remember: You can use a try-catch statement to catch and handle errors.
Solution
Future<String> changeUsername() async {
try {
return await fetchNewUsername();
} catch (err) {
return err.toString();
}
}
Exercise: Putting it all together
#
It's time to practice what you've learned in one final exercise. To
simulate asynchronous operations, this exercise provides the
asynchronous functions fetchUsername() and
logoutUser():
| Function | Type signature | Description |
|---|---|---|
| fetchUsername() | Future<String> fetchUsername() |
Returns the name associated with the current user. |
| logoutUser() | Future<String> logoutUser() |
Performs logout of current user and returns the username that was logged out. |
Write the following:
Part 1: addHello()
#
-
Write a function
addHello()that takes a singleStringargument. -
addHello()returns itsStringargument preceded by'Hello '.
Example:addHello('Jon')returns'Hello Jon'.
Part 2: greetUser()
#
-
Write a function
greetUser()that takes no arguments. -
To get the username,
greetUser()calls the provided asynchronous functionfetchUsername(). -
greetUser()creates a greeting for the user by callingaddHello(), passing it the username, and returning the result.
Example: IffetchUsername()returns'Jenny', thengreetUser()returns'Hello Jenny'.
Part 3: sayGoodbye()
#
-
Write a function
sayGoodbye()that does the following:- Takes no arguments.
- Catches any errors.
-
Calls the provided asynchronous function
logoutUser().
-
If
logoutUser()fails,sayGoodbye()returns any string you like. -
If
logoutUser()succeeds,sayGoodbye()returns the string'<result> Thanks, see you next time', where<result>is the string value returned by callinglogoutUser().
// Part 1
addHello(String user) {}
// Part 2
// Call the provided async function fetchUsername()
// to return the username.
greetUser() {}
// Part 3
// Call the provided async function logoutUser()
// to log out the user.
sayGoodbye() {}
// The following functions are provided to you to use in your solutions.
Future<String> fetchUsername() => Future.delayed(_halfSecond, () => 'Jean');
Future<String> logoutUser() => Future.delayed(_halfSecond, _failOnce);
// The following code is used to test and provide feedback on your solution.
// There is no need to read or modify it.
void main() async {
const didNotImplement =
'Test failed! Did you forget to implement or return from';
final List<String> messages = [];
print('Testing...');
try {
messages
..add(_makeReadable(
testLabel: 'Part 1',
testResult: await _asyncEquals(
expected: 'Hello Jerry',
actual: addHello('Jerry'),
typoKeyword: 'Jerry'),
readableErrors: {
_typoMessage: _typoMessage,
'null': '$didNotImplement addHello?',
'Hello Instance of \'Future<String>\'':
'Looks like you forgot to use the \'await\' keyword!',
'Hello Instance of \'_Future<String>\'':
'Looks like you forgot to use the \'await\' keyword!',
}))
..add(_makeReadable(
testLabel: 'Part 2',
testResult: await _asyncEquals(
expected: 'Hello Jean',
actual: await greetUser(),
typoKeyword: 'Jean'),
readableErrors: {
_typoMessage: _typoMessage,
'null': '$didNotImplement greetUser?',
'HelloJean':
'Looks like you forgot the space between \'Hello\' and \'Jean\'',
'Hello Instance of \'Future<String>\'':
'Looks like you forgot to use the \'await\' keyword!',
'Hello Instance of \'_Future<String>\'':
'Looks like you forgot to use the \'await\' keyword!',
'{Closure: (String) => dynamic from Function \'addHello\': static.(await fetchUsername())}':
'Did you place the \'\$\' character correctly?',
'{Closure \'addHello\'(await fetchUsername())}':
'Did you place the \'\$\' character correctly?',
}))
..add(_makeReadable(
testLabel: 'Part 3',
testResult: await _asyncDidCatchException(sayGoodbye),
readableErrors: {
_typoMessage:
'$_typoMessage. Did you add the text \'Thanks, see you next time\'?',
'null': '$didNotImplement sayGoodbye?',
_noCatch:
'Did you remember to call logoutUser within a try/catch block?',
'Instance of \'Future<String>\' Thanks, see you next time':
'Did you remember to use the \'await\' keyword in the sayGoodbye function?',
'Instance of \'_Future<String>\' Thanks, see you next time':
'Did you remember to use the \'await\' keyword in the sayGoodbye function?',
}))
..add(_makeReadable(
testLabel: 'Part 3',
testResult: await _asyncEquals(
expected: 'Success! Thanks, see you next time',
actual: await sayGoodbye(),
typoKeyword: 'Success'),
readableErrors: {
_typoMessage:
'$_typoMessage. Did you add the text \'Thanks, see you next time\'?',
'null': '$didNotImplement sayGoodbye?',
_noCatch:
'Did you remember to call logoutUser within a try/catch block?',
'Instance of \'Future<String>\' Thanks, see you next time':
'Did you remember to use the \'await\' keyword in the sayGoodbye function?',
'Instance of \'_Future<String>\' Thanks, see you next time':
'Did you remember to use the \'await\' keyword in the sayGoodbye function?',
'Instance of \'_Exception\'':
'CAUGHT Did you remember to return a string?',
}))
..removeWhere((m) => m.contains(_passed))
..toList();
if (messages.isEmpty) {
print('Success. All tests passed!');
} else {
messages.forEach(print);
}
} catch (e) {
print('Tried to run solution, but received an exception: $e');
}
}
// Test helpers.
String _makeReadable({
required String testResult,
required Map<String, String> readableErrors,
required String testLabel,
}) {
String? readable;
if (readableErrors.containsKey(testResult)) {
readable = readableErrors[testResult];
return '$testLabel $readable';
} else if ((testResult != _passed) && (testResult.length < 18)) {
readable = _typoMessage;
return '$testLabel $readable';
} else {
return '$testLabel $testResult';
}
}
Future<String> _asyncEquals({
required String expected,
required dynamic actual,
required String typoKeyword,
}) async {
final strActual = actual is String ? actual : actual.toString();
try {
if (expected == actual) {
return _passed;
} else if (strActual.contains(typoKeyword)) {
return _typoMessage;
} else {
return strActual;
}
} catch (e) {
return e.toString();
}
}
Future<String> _asyncDidCatchException(Function fn) async {
var caught = true;
try {
await fn();
} on Exception catch (_) {
caught = false;
}
if (caught == true) {
return _passed;
} else {
return _noCatch;
}
}
const _typoMessage = 'Test failed! Check for typos in your return value';
const _passed = 'PASSED';
const _noCatch = 'NO_CATCH';
const _halfSecond = Duration(milliseconds: 500);
String _failOnce() {
if (_logoutSucceeds) {
return 'Success!';
} else {
_logoutSucceeds = true;
throw Exception('Logout failed');
}
}
bool _logoutSucceeds = false;
Hint
The greetUser and sayGoodbye functions
should be asynchronous, while addHello should be a
normal, synchronous function.
Remember: You can use a try-catch statement to catch and handle errors.
Solution
String addHello(String user) => 'Hello $user';
Future<String> greetUser() async {
final username = await fetchUsername();
return addHello(username);
}
Future<String> sayGoodbye() async {
try {
final result = await logoutUser();
return '$result Thanks, see you next time';
} catch (e) {
return 'Failed to logout user: $e';
}
}
What's next?
#Congratulations, you've finished the codelab! If you'd like to learn more, here are some suggestions for where to go next:
- Play with DartPad.
- Try another codelab.
-
Learn more about futures and asynchronous code in Dart:
- Streams tutorial: Learn how to work with a sequence of asynchronous events.
- Concurrency in Dart: Understand and learn how to implement concurrency in Dart.
- Asynchrony support: Dive in to Dart's language and library support for asynchronous coding.
- Dart videos from Google: Watch one or more of the videos about asynchronous coding.
- Get the Dart SDK!