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 away
function1();

// call the rest of the code and have it execute after 3 seconds
setTimeout(function2, 3000);

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