Python's async and await keywords, introduced in Python 3.5, enable asynchronous programming, allowing you to write non-blocking code that can handle multiple tasks concurrently. This is particularly useful for I/O-bound operations like network requests, file handling, or database queries.

Key Concepts

An async function is defined using async def. When called, it returns a coroutine object, which represents a task that can be paused and resumed. To execute the coroutine, it must be awaited using the await keyword or scheduled as a task.

The await keyword pauses the execution of the coroutine until the awaited task is complete. This allows other tasks to run in the meantime, making efficient use of resources.

Using asyncio.sleep for Non-Blocking Delays

Unlike time.sleep, which blocks the entire program, asyncio.sleep pauses only the current coroutine, allowing other tasks to execute.