Async functions and the await keyword have transformed the way you write asynchronous code in Node.js. An async function is a function declared with the async keyword, which always returns a Promise. Inside an async function, you can use the await keyword to pause the execution of the function until a given Promise resolves. This allows you to write code that appears synchronous, even though it is performing asynchronous operations in the background. When you use await, the function execution is paused at that line, waiting for the Promise to resolve, and then resumes with the resolved value. If the Promise rejects, an error is thrown at that point, which you can catch using try/catch blocks. This syntax offers a more natural and readable way to work with Promises, making asynchronous code easier to write and maintain.

Using async/await greatly improves the readability of your asynchronous code. Rather than chaining multiple .then() calls, you can write code that looks much like synchronous code, with each asynchronous step clearly separated by the await keyword. This makes it easier to follow the flow of data and logic, especially in complex functions. Error handling is also more straightforward: instead of chaining .catch() or handling errors at each step, you can wrap your code in a single try/catch block, just as you would with synchronous code. This unified approach not only reduces the likelihood of missing errors but also makes your codebase cleaner and easier to maintain as your project grows.