snippetjavascriptTip

What is a callback function?

Submitted by: @import:30-seconds-of-code·Mar 2, 2026·

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javascriptwhatcallbackfunction

Problem

A callback function is a function passed as an argument to another function, which is then invoked inside the outer function. Callback functions are often executed once an event has occurred or a task has completed.
A synchronous callback is a callback function that is executed immediately. The function passed as the first argument to Array.prototype.map() is a great example of a synchronous callback:
An asynchronous callback is a callback function that is used to execute code after an asynchronous operation has completed. The function executed inside Promise.prototype.then() is a great example of an asynchronous callback:

Solution

const nums = [1, 2, 3];
const printDoublePlusOne = n => console.log(2 * n + 1);

nums.map(printDoublePlusOne); // LOGS: 3, 5, 7

An asynchronous callback is a callback function that is used to execute code after an asynchronous operation has completed. The function executed inside Promise.prototype.then() is a great example of an asynchronous callback:

Code Snippets

const nums = [1, 2, 3];
const printDoublePlusOne = n => console.log(2 * n + 1);

nums.map(printDoublePlusOne); // LOGS: 3, 5, 7

const nums = fetch('https://api.nums.org'); // Suppose the response is [1, 2, 3]
const printDoublePlusOne = n => console.log(2 * n + 1);

nums.then(printDoublePlusOne); // LOGS: 3, 5, 7

Context

From 30-seconds-of-code: callbacks

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