Async/Await: Enhancing App Responsiveness Without Threads

Contrary to common misconceptions, async/await doesn't create new threads. Instead, it employs cooperative multitasking to significantly improve application responsiveness.

How Async/Await Works

The compiler cleverly divides methods using async/await into two sections:

• Part 1: Code before the await keyword, including the initiation of asynchronous operations.
• Part 2: Code following the await keyword.

Execution Sequence:

1. Part 1 Execution: The method runs until it hits an await statement. The asynchronous operation (e.g., GetSomethingAsync()) is called. This operation returns a pending result (like a Task).
2. Continuation Handling: The SynchronizationContext is informed to signal completion of the asynchronous operation. Control returns to the message loop, allowing it to process other tasks.
3. Asynchronous Operation Completion: Once the asynchronous operation finishes (often after a delay), the SynchronizationContext receives a notification.
4. Execution Resumption: The SynchronizationContext adds a message to the message loop queue, triggering the execution of Part 2. The message loop processes this, restarting the method from the point after the await.
5. Part 2 Execution: The remaining code executes, processing the results from the asynchronous operation.

Improved Responsiveness

While the asynchronous operation is pending, the message loop remains free to handle user input and UI updates, keeping the application responsive. Upon completion, Part 2 updates the application state.

Important Considerations:

• Async/await utilizes cooperative multitasking via the SynchronizationContext, not thread creation.
• Asynchronous operations are inherently non-blocking, maintaining message loop activity.
• Effective use of async/await significantly boosts application responsiveness and user experience.