JavaScript is often referred to as a "single-threaded" language, which means that it runs in a single sequence or thread of execution. The term "single-threaded" specifically refers to the execution of JavaScript code in the context of a web browser. Let's break down the key aspects of JavaScript's single-threaded model:
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Single Call Stack:
- JavaScript has a single call stack, which is a data structure that keeps track of the execution of functions. Each function call creates a new stack frame, and when a function completes, its stack frame is popped off the stack.
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Synchronous Execution:
- JavaScript code is executed synchronously, meaning that one operation is performed at a time, in a sequence. Each operation must complete before moving on to the next one.
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Event Loop:
- While JavaScript itself is single-threaded, browsers have additional components that allow asynchronous behavior. One of these components is the Event Loop. The Event Loop continuously checks the message queue for new messages and processes them in a first-in-first-out (FIFO) order.
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Callback Queue:
- When asynchronous operations occur, such as fetching data from a server or responding to a user's click, callbacks are placed in a queue known as the Callback Queue. The Event Loop takes these callbacks and adds them to the call stack when the call stack is empty.
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Web APIs:
- Web APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) provided by the browser, like the DOM (Document Object Model) API or XMLHttpRequest, allow JavaScript to perform asynchronous operations. When these APIs are used, the browser handles the asynchronous tasks, and their associated callbacks are placed in the Callback Queue when completed.
Here's a simplified overview of how the single-threaded model with the Event Loop works:
- When a script is executed, it runs in the main thread, and the call stack is populated with function calls.
- If an asynchronous operation is encountered (e.g., a setTimeout function or an HTTP request), it is offloaded to the browser's Web APIs, and the script continues to execute other synchronous code.
- When the asynchronous operation is completed, its callback is placed in the Callback Queue.
- The Event Loop continuously checks the Callback Queue. If the call stack is empty, it takes the first callback from the queue and pushes it onto the call stack for execution.
- This process repeats, allowing asynchronous operations to be handled without blocking the main thread.
It's important to note that although JavaScript itself is single-threaded, web browsers can leverage multiple threads for tasks like rendering and handling user input. Additionally, advancements like Web Workers allow for the creation of separate threads for parallel execution in certain scenarios. However, the main thread, where JavaScript runs, remains single-threaded.