web3.js getBalance function returns promise?

Question

I'm using web3js version 0.20.6.

When I try the getBalance function it returns a string and it works. But the documentation here says it should return a promise. But the documentation here says it returns a string. Is this a change between the versions?

In the world of async calls using promise, the chain of method calls needs to get converted into promise based then and catch. Is it okay to have so many layers of promise going from parent to child to its child method?

Answer 1

Yes, getBalance returns a promise. The spec you're referencing is old but appropriate for the version of web3js you're using. You might accidentally be using web3js 1.0.0. I'd try this:

web3.eth.getBalance()
.then(function (balance) {
    console.log(balance);
}).catch(function(e) {
    console.log(e);
});