asynchronous
Happening at different times
Asynchronous describes events or processes that don't happen at the same time or in lockstep.
In computing, asynchronous operations proceed independently—a program can send a request and continue working while waiting for the response.
Asynchronous communication like email or text messaging doesn't require both parties to be present simultaneously: We switched to asynchronous meetings so people in different time zones could participate.
The opposite is synchronous, where events occur together in real time.
Follow-up audition invitation
- promiseCommitment to act
- awaitRemain expectant for
- non-blockingExecutes without waiting
- event-drivenTriggered by occurrences
multithreading · concurrency · webhook · polling · reactive · API · fetch · deferred
Shocked or unevenly spaced
- delayedMade to wait longer
- lagPeriod of falling behind
- latencyDelay in system response
- offsetCompensate by opposing force
desynchronized · nonconcurrent · sequential · phased · buffered · queued · batched · jitter
Free from external control
- autonomousSelf-directed and free
- distributedDivided and given out
- collaborationJoint intellectual work
- handoffDirect physical exchange
flexible · self-directed · decoupled · parallel · unblocked · standalone · modular · delegated
Digital written communication
- forumGathering place for discourse
- voicemailRecorded caller messages
- messageboardOnline discussion platform
- correspondenceExchanged written communication
newsletter · bulletin · memo · notification · dispatch · slack · chat · comments
Controlled by the learner
- onlineNetwork-connected state
- remoteDistant or controller
- recordedCaptured for posterity
- on-demandAvailable upon request
coursework · modules · tutorial · MOOC · distance · e-learning · homework · prerecorded
callback
Follow-up audition invitation
- promiseCommitment to act
- awaitRemain expectant for
- non-blockingExecutes without waiting
event-driven · multithreading · concurrency · webhook · polling · reactive · API · fetch · deferred · future
staggered
Shocked or unevenly spaced
offset · desynchronized · nonconcurrent · sequential · phased · buffered · queued · batched · jitter · drift
independent
Free from external control
- autonomousSelf-directed and free
- distributedDivided and given out
- collaborationJoint intellectual work
handoff · flexible · self-directed · decoupled · parallel · unblocked · standalone · modular · delegated
Digital written communication
- forumGathering place for discourse
- voicemailRecorded caller messages
- messageboardOnline discussion platform
correspondence · newsletter · bulletin · memo · notification · dispatch · slack · chat · comments · reply
self-paced
Controlled by the learner
on-demand · coursework · modules · tutorial · MOOC · distance · e-learning · homework · prerecorded · flexible
- Eduspeakpedagogy, curriculum mapping, scaffolding, rubric, formative
- work stylescollaborative, hierarchical, agile, flexible, structured
- async programmingawait, callback, future, promise, non-blocking
- I/Oinput, output, stdin, stdout, read
- serial portsserial port, TX, RX, parity, TTL
- programming paradigmsobject-oriented, functional, procedural, declarative, imperative
asynchronoussynchronous
Occurring at same moment
simultaneous · concurrent · synchronized · parallel · synchronic
asynchronousreal-time
Occurring without processing delay
synchronous · live · in-person · face-to-face · interactive
- asynchronous learningEducation without live sessions