What is the difference between async and sync in C#?

What is the difference between async and sync in C#?

In C#, synchronous (sync) methods block the execution until they complete, while asynchronous (async) methods allow other operations to run concurrently.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! A synchronous method might look like this:

public void SyncMethod() {
    Thread.Sleep(2000); // Simulates a delay
}

An asynchronous method would be:

public async Task AsyncMethod() {
    await Task.Delay(2000); // Non-blocking delay
}

When should I use async over sync?

Use async when you want to keep your application responsive, especially in UI applications or when performing I/O-bound operations.

Are there any downsides to using async?

Yes, async can introduce complexity, such as managing exceptions and understanding the synchronization context. It's also not always faster for CPU-bound tasks.