Asynchronous programming is a programming paradigm that allows tasks to run independently of the main program flow. This means that while one task is waiting for a resource, like data from a server, other tasks can continue executing. This approach helps improve the efficiency and responsiveness of applications, especially in environments where tasks may take varying amounts of time to complete. In contrast to synchronous programming, where tasks are executed one after another, asynchronous programming enables developers to write code that can handle multiple operations simultaneously. Commonly used in web development, languages like JavaScript utilize asynchronous techniques, such as callbacks, promises, and async/await, to manage tasks without blocking the main thread.