sequencing function calls in javascript - are callbacks the only way?

Question

I read through various threads like this one for example.

But it really escapes me how to accomplish the following:

I have 4 functions, and want them happen one after another in sequence. Notice they are in incorrect order, to get my point across. I want the result that will output "1, 2, 3, 4'

function firstFunction(){
  // some very time consuming asynchronous code...
  console.log('1');
}
function thirdFunction(){
  // definitely dont wanna do this until secondFunction is finished
  console.log('3');
}
function secondFunction(){
  // waits for firstFunction to be completed
  console.log('2');
}
function fourthFunction(){
  // last function, not executed until the other 3 are done.
  console.log('4');
}

I tried to figure out callbacks but am getting lost :(

Isn't there some simple way to do this? Like looping through an array...

Answer 1

It's a great chance to start using jQuery Deferred.

Apart from the callbacks-based solution the code is readable, flexible and highly maintainable

http://jsfiddle.net/zerkms/zJhph/

function firstFunction(){
  var d = $.Deferred();
  // some very time consuming asynchronous code...
  setTimeout(function() {
    console.log('1');
    d.resolve();
  }, 1000);
  return d.promise();
}
function thirdFunction(){
  var d = $.Deferred();
  // definitely dont wanna do this until secondFunction is finished
  setTimeout(function() {
    console.log('3');
    d.resolve();
  }, 1000);
  return d.promise();
}
function secondFunction(){
  var d = $.Deferred();
  setTimeout(function() {
    console.log('2');
    d.resolve();
  }, 1000);
  return d.promise();
}
function fourthFunction(){
  var d = $.Deferred();
  // last function, not executed until the other 3 are done.
  setTimeout(function() {
    console.log('4');
    d.resolve();
  }, 1000);
  return d.promise();
}

firstFunction().pipe(secondFunction).pipe(thirdFunction).pipe(fourthFunction);​

PS: as an example of asynchronous code I've used setTimeout. The main thing is that in the end of the asynchronous part you need to call d.resolve() to continue chaining methods.

Further reading: http://joseoncode.com/2011/09/26/a-walkthrough-jquery-deferred-and-promise/

Answer 2

The idea is you'd do something like the following so that once the first function was done running, it'd know what to run as opposed to you having to figure it out on your own outside the function:

function firstFunction(callback){
  // some very time consuming asynchronous code...
  console.log('1');

  return callback(function(){
    alert("Second function finished.");
    return true;
  });
}
function secondFunction(callback){
  // waits for firstFunction to be completed
  console.log('2');

  return callback();
}

firstFunction(secondFunction);

Also look up .apply() and .call().