How can I wait In Node.js (JavaScript)? l need to pause for a period of time

Update Jan 2021: You can even do it in the Node REPL interactive using --experimental-repl-await flag

$ node --experimental-repl-await> const delay = ms => new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, ms))> await delay(1000) /// waiting 1 second.

A new answer to an old question. Today ( Jan 2017 June 2019) it is much easier. You can use the new async/await syntax.For example:

async function init() {  console.log(1);  await sleep(1000);  console.log(2);}function sleep(ms) {  return new Promise((resolve) => {    setTimeout(resolve, ms);  });}

For using async/await out of the box without installing and plugins, you have to use node-v7 or node-v8, using the --harmony flag.

Update June 2019: By using the latest versions of NodeJS you can use it out of the box. No need to provide command line arguments. Even Google Chrome support it today.

Update May 2020:Soon you will be able to use the await syntax outside of an async function. In the top level like in this example

await sleep(1000)function sleep(ms) {  return new Promise((resolve) => {    setTimeout(resolve, ms);  });}

The proposal is in stage 3.You can use it today by using webpack 5 (alpha),

More info:

• Harmony Flag in Nodejs: https://nodejs.org/en/docs/es6/
• All NodeJS Version for download: https://nodejs.org/en/download/releases/

The shortest solution without any dependencies:

await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 5000));

Best way to do this is to break your code into multiple functions, like this:

function function1() {    // stuff you want to happen right away    console.log('Welcome to My Console,');}function function2() {    // all the stuff you want to happen after that pause    console.log('Blah blah blah blah extra-blah');}// call the first chunk of code right awayfunction1();// call the rest of the code and have it execute after 3 secondssetTimeout(function2, 3000);

It's similar to JohnnyHK's solution, but much neater and easier to extend.