How does a synchronous API request differ from an asynchronous API request?

Synchronous API requests and asynchronous API requests differ primarily in how and when the client receives a response from the server.

Synchronous API Request: In a synchronous API call, the client sends a request to the server and waits for a response. The client is blocked during this time, meaning it cannot perform other tasks until the server responds. The key characteristic is that the client is able to access the results immediately after the request is processed. This is suitable for operations that need an immediate response and where the processing time is relatively short.

Asynchronous API Request: In an asynchronous API call, the client sends a request and continues its process without waiting for the server to respond. The server processes the request and sends the response back to the client at a later time. The client might receive a task ID (option A), subscribe to a webhook (option B), or poll for status (option D) to check when the operation is complete.