Comparing non-blocking setTimeout in JavaScript versus sleep in Ruby

Question

Comparing non-blocking setTimeout in JavaScript versus sleep in Ruby

One interesting aspect of JavaScript is that, being event-driven in nature, the setTimeout function does not block. Consider the following example:

setTimeout(function(){
  console.log('sleeping');
}, 10);
console.log('prints first!!');

This code will output 'prints first!!' before 'sleeping', as the JavaScript interpreter immediately moves on to the code below the setTimeout call rather than waiting for it to finish. The callback function is then executed after a delay of 10ms.

I have recently started working with Ruby and discovered its non-blocking support in the event-machine library. This got me thinking - can we create a similar effect to the JavaScript setTimeout example using a native Ruby function like sleep, without relying on event-machine? Is it possible to achieve such behavior using closures, procs, blocks, or any other feature of Ruby? I would appreciate any insights. Thank you!

javascript ruby-on-rails ruby asynchronous

Answer 1

Answer №1

It's important to understand that the setTimeout function operates differently from the sleep function. While setTimeout is asynchronous, sleep is synchronous in nature.

In Ruby, the sleep method behaves similarly to its POSIX equivalent by pausing script execution. On the other hand, the setTimer function in JavaScript schedules a callback to be executed at a later time.

For triggering an asynchronous callback, tools like EventMachine may come in handy to manage an event loop efficiently.

Answer 2

It's important to understand that the setTimeout function operates differently from the sleep function. While setTimeout is asynchronous, sleep is synchronous in nature.

In Ruby, the sleep method behaves similarly to its POSIX equivalent by pausing script execution. On the other hand, the setTimer function in JavaScript schedules a callback to be executed at a later time.

For triggering an asynchronous callback, tools like EventMachine may come in handy to manage an event loop efficiently.

Answer 3

Answer №2

If you're looking for a simple way to introduce asynchronous behavior, you could consider using threads:

timeout = Thread.new(Time.now + 4) do |end_time|
  while Time.now < end_time
    Thread.pass
  end
  puts "Alarm!"
end

main = Thread.new do
  puts "Main thread"
end

main.join
timeout.join

While threading may be seen as excessive by some, it's an alternative if EventMachine isn't suitable for your needs.

Answer 4

If you're looking for a simple way to introduce asynchronous behavior, you could consider using threads:

timeout = Thread.new(Time.now + 4) do |end_time|
  while Time.now < end_time
    Thread.pass
  end
  puts "Alarm!"
end

main = Thread.new do
  puts "Main thread"
end

main.join
timeout.join

While threading may be seen as excessive by some, it's an alternative if EventMachine isn't suitable for your needs.

Comparing non-blocking setTimeout in JavaScript versus sleep in Ruby

Answer №1

Answer №2

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