Why Should You Avoid Async Void in Asynchronous Programming?

Pitfalls of Using Async Void: A Closer Examination

In the realm of asynchronous programming, the use of async void methods has been discouraged due to several inherent drawbacks. This article delves into the specific reasons why async void is considered questionable practice and proposes alternative approaches that adhere to best practices.

The Dissonant Error Handling

Async void methods depart from the conventional approach to error handling. Exceptions thrown within such methods escape directly to the framework, leading to unpredictable behavior and making it challenging to handle errors gracefully.

Compromised Compositionality

Async void methods hinder composition, limiting code maintainability and reusability. These methods encapsulate logic without providing a clear mechanism for integration into higher-level asynchronous operations.

Obstacles in Testing

Unit testing becomes particularly arduous with async void methods. The absence of a return value obstructs the construction of effective tests, diminishing confidence in the correctness of the code.

Cross-Language Incompatibility

While C# and VB support async void, the vast majority of languages supporting asynchronous operations do not. This disparity can create obstacles when working on cross-platform projects.

The Preferred Practice for Asynchronous Events

The recommended approach for asynchronous event handlers is to employ async Task methods instead. This approach preserves the advantages of asynchronous programming while mitigating the pitfalls associated with async void. Event handlers that adhere to this pattern handle errors effectively, provide greater compositionality, and facilitate easier testing.

Addressing the Example

The example presented in the original question can be modified to follow best practices by converting PrimeCustomTask to an async Task method. This allows the event handler (OnLoad) to await the result of PrimeCustomTask, ensuring that the exception handling and composing semantics are maintained.

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