async vs p-queue vs concurrently vs npm-run-all vs yarn-run-all
JavaScript Task Management Libraries Comparison
1 Year
asyncp-queueconcurrentlynpm-run-allyarn-run-allSimilar Packages:
What's JavaScript Task Management Libraries?

These libraries provide various utilities for managing asynchronous tasks in JavaScript, allowing developers to execute multiple tasks concurrently, manage task queues, and streamline the execution of scripts in a more efficient manner. They are particularly useful in build processes, automation scripts, and any scenario where multiple asynchronous operations need to be coordinated effectively.

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async62,371,04928,233808 kB106 months agoMIT
p-queue7,721,8043,59740.6 kB47a month agoMIT
concurrently6,792,8607,266406 kB722 months agoMIT
npm-run-all3,211,3005,783-1076 years agoMIT
yarn-run-all22,8535,783-1078 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: async vs p-queue vs concurrently vs npm-run-all vs yarn-run-all

Execution Control

  • async:

    Async provides a variety of control flow functions that allow developers to manage the execution order of asynchronous tasks. It supports patterns like series, parallel, and waterfall, enabling complex task management with ease.

  • p-queue:

    P-Queue allows you to manage a queue of tasks with control over concurrency. You can set limits on how many tasks run at once and prioritize certain tasks, making it ideal for scenarios where resource management is crucial.

  • concurrently:

    Concurrently allows you to run multiple commands in parallel, but it does not manage the order of execution. It simply starts all specified commands at once, making it suitable for tasks that can run independently without needing to wait for others to complete.

  • npm-run-all:

    NPM Run All enables you to run scripts in parallel or sequentially based on your needs. It provides options to control the execution order, making it flexible for managing npm scripts in your project.

  • yarn-run-all:

    Yarn Run All offers similar functionality to npm-run-all, allowing you to run multiple Yarn scripts in parallel or sequentially, providing control over execution order without complex setups.

Ease of Use

  • async:

    Async has a learning curve due to its extensive API, but once familiar, developers can leverage its powerful features to simplify complex asynchronous workflows.

  • p-queue:

    P-Queue is also user-friendly, with a simple API for adding tasks to the queue and managing concurrency, but it may require some understanding of promises and async functions.

  • concurrently:

    Concurrently is straightforward to use, requiring minimal setup. You simply list the commands you want to run, making it user-friendly for quick tasks.

  • npm-run-all:

    NPM Run All is easy to integrate into existing npm scripts, requiring no additional configuration beyond specifying the scripts to run, making it accessible for most users.

  • yarn-run-all:

    Yarn Run All is designed for ease of use, similar to npm-run-all, and integrates seamlessly with Yarn, making it a natural choice for Yarn users.

Performance

  • async:

    Async is optimized for performance with its various execution patterns, but the overhead of managing complex flows can impact performance in certain scenarios with many tasks.

  • p-queue:

    P-Queue is designed for high performance, allowing you to control how many tasks run concurrently, which can help optimize resource usage and prevent bottlenecks.

  • concurrently:

    Concurrently is efficient for running multiple commands simultaneously, but the performance may vary based on the commands being executed and the system resources available.

  • npm-run-all:

    NPM Run All is efficient for running scripts, but running too many scripts in parallel can lead to performance degradation, depending on system capabilities.

  • yarn-run-all:

    Yarn Run All performs well for running multiple scripts, but like npm-run-all, it can suffer from performance issues if too many scripts are run in parallel.

Compatibility

  • async:

    Async is compatible with both Node.js and browser environments, making it versatile for various JavaScript applications.

  • p-queue:

    P-Queue is compatible with any environment that supports promises, making it a flexible choice for modern JavaScript applications.

  • concurrently:

    Concurrently is primarily designed for Node.js environments, making it best suited for development tasks that involve running multiple processes.

  • npm-run-all:

    NPM Run All works seamlessly with npm scripts, ensuring compatibility across different Node.js environments and projects.

  • yarn-run-all:

    Yarn Run All is tailored for Yarn users, ensuring compatibility with Yarn's package management features.

Community and Support

  • async:

    Async has a large community and extensive documentation, providing ample resources for troubleshooting and learning.

  • p-queue:

    P-Queue has a smaller community but is well-documented, providing enough resources for effective usage.

  • concurrently:

    Concurrently has a growing user base and sufficient documentation, but may not have as extensive community support as Async.

  • npm-run-all:

    NPM Run All benefits from a solid user community and clear documentation, making it easy to find help and examples.

  • yarn-run-all:

    Yarn Run All is supported by the Yarn community, which is active and provides good documentation, ensuring users can find assistance when needed.

How to Choose: async vs p-queue vs concurrently vs npm-run-all vs yarn-run-all
  • async:

    Choose Async if you need a comprehensive suite of utilities for working with asynchronous JavaScript, particularly if you require control over the flow of asynchronous operations, such as series, parallel, and waterfall execution patterns.

  • p-queue:

    Use P-Queue if you need a powerful queue management system that allows you to control concurrency and prioritize tasks. This is particularly beneficial for scenarios where you need to manage a large number of asynchronous tasks with specific limits on how many can run simultaneously.

  • concurrently:

    Select Concurrently if you want to run multiple commands concurrently in the same terminal window, making it ideal for development environments where you need to run multiple processes simultaneously, such as starting a server and a client application at the same time.

  • npm-run-all:

    Opt for NPM Run All if you want a simple way to run multiple npm scripts in parallel or sequentially without the need for complex configurations. It's particularly useful for managing scripts in package.json without modifying your existing scripts.

  • yarn-run-all:

    Choose Yarn Run All if you are using Yarn as your package manager and want a straightforward way to run multiple scripts in parallel or sequentially, similar to npm-run-all, but optimized for Yarn users.

README for async

Async Logo

Github Actions CI status NPM version Coverage Status Join the chat at https://gitter.im/caolan/async jsDelivr Hits

Async is a utility module which provides straight-forward, powerful functions for working with asynchronous JavaScript. Although originally designed for use with Node.js and installable via npm i async, it can also be used directly in the browser. An ESM/MJS version is included in the main async package that should automatically be used with compatible bundlers such as Webpack and Rollup.

A pure ESM version of Async is available as async-es.

For Documentation, visit https://caolan.github.io/async/

For Async v1.5.x documentation, go HERE

// for use with Node-style callbacks...
var async = require("async");

var obj = {dev: "/dev.json", test: "/test.json", prod: "/prod.json"};
var configs = {};

async.forEachOf(obj, (value, key, callback) => {
    fs.readFile(__dirname + value, "utf8", (err, data) => {
        if (err) return callback(err);
        try {
            configs[key] = JSON.parse(data);
        } catch (e) {
            return callback(e);
        }
        callback();
    });
}, err => {
    if (err) console.error(err.message);
    // configs is now a map of JSON data
    doSomethingWith(configs);
});
var async = require("async");

// ...or ES2017 async functions
async.mapLimit(urls, 5, async function(url) {
    const response = await fetch(url)
    return response.body
}, (err, results) => {
    if (err) throw err
    // results is now an array of the response bodies
    console.log(results)
})