When writing a single-page web application that communicates with a third-party API, how should you handle API calls to avoid UI delays?

When handling API calls in a single-page web application, setting the asynchronous option to true for requests is essential for maintaining a smooth and responsive user experience. By using asynchronous requests, the application can send and receive data from a third-party API without blocking the main thread that renders the UI. This means that while the API call is being processed in the background, the user can still interact with the application, view content, and receive updates without experiencing delays or interruptions.

Asynchronous operations utilize callbacks, promises, or async/await patterns, allowing developers to manage the response of the API call once it's completed, all while keeping the application responsive. This approach is especially important in a single-page application where user engagement is critical, and any delay in user interface responsiveness can lead to a poor user experience.

Other options involve synchronous requests, which would block all UI interactions until the response is received, leading to potential freezes or sluggishness in user interactions, which is detrimental to user experience. Therefore, utilizing asynchronous calls is the best practice in this context.