What is a control flow function?

In Node.js, a control flow function is a mechanism used to manage the asynchronous execution of code. Given that Node.js operates in a non-blocking, event-driven manner, control flow functions are essential for handling tasks that depend on the completion of asynchronous operations such as reading files, making HTTP requests, or querying databases.

There are various control flow mechanisms in Node.js, including callbacks, Promises, async/await, and libraries like async.js or Bluebird. These mechanisms help in organizing and coordinating the execution of asynchronous tasks, ensuring that code runs in the desired sequence and handles errors effectively.

A concise answer could be:

“A control flow function in Node.js is a mechanism used to manage the asynchronous execution of code, ensuring that tasks are completed in the desired sequence and errors are handled effectively. This includes mechanisms like callbacks, Promises, async/await, and third-party libraries designed to streamline asynchronous programming.”