Infinite async loops using setInterval() [duplicate]

Question

I have nodejs app that needs a few infinite loops which call async functions. I was considering implementing the following:

async function execute1() {
   ...do some async work...
}

async function execute2() {
   ...do some async work...
}

setInterval(execute1, 500)
setInterval(execute2, 500)

My concern is that if the async functions will take a long time to complete, the open references will pile up and this can result in a memory crash down the line.

1. is setInterval the right tool for this job? is there a more suitable tool?
2. What is the most elegant method to make sure the execute() function will not start if the previous run hasn't return?

Answer 1

setInterval isn't the right tool because it's unaware of promises and can't maintain correct control flow.

It can be async function with infinite loop:

async function execute1() {
  while (true) {
    await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 500));
    // ...do some async work...  
  }
}

execute1();