What are the differences between async/await and the Task Parallel Library?

Can you explain the differences between async/await and the Task Parallel Library?

Sure! Async/await is a syntax for asynchronous programming in C#, making it easier to write non-blocking code. The Task Parallel Library (TPL), on the other hand, is a set of APIs for parallel programming, allowing you to run tasks concurrently.

When should I use async/await instead of TPL?

Use async/await when you want to perform I/O-bound operations without blocking the main thread. TPL is better for CPU-bound operations where you want to utilize multiple cores.

Can you give an example of each?

Certainly! For async/await, you might use it to fetch data from a web API. For TPL, you could use it to process a large dataset in parallel.

Are there any performance differences?

Yes, async/await can improve responsiveness in UI applications, while TPL can enhance performance in compute-intensive tasks by leveraging multiple processors.