Combining Async and Yield in C#

Combining the potency of asynchronous programming with the versatility of iterator blocks using yield can yield elegant and efficient code in C#. Asynchronous operations allow execution without blocking the calling thread, while yield empowers the creation of enumerable sequences. In this guide, we’ll delve into the synergy of async and yield in C#, enhancing the way you manage asynchronous operations.

Understanding Async and Yield in C#

• Async Programming: C# permits non-blocking execution through asynchronous programming, making it ideal for I/O-bound operations. Methods marked with the async keyword can gracefully pause execution with await, resuming once the awaited task completes.
• Yield and Enumerator: The yield keyword, employed in iterator methods, molds an enumerator that dispenses a sequence of values. The method halts at each yield statement, returning the yielded value to the caller. When the enumerator is iterated, the method recommences from its pause point.

Combining Async and Yield: Downloading and Processing URLs

Let’s dive into a practical example that unites async and yield to download and process a sequence of URLs. Imagine having a list of URLs that require asynchronous download and processing.

public async IAsyncEnumerable<string> DownloadAndProcessUrlsAsync(IEnumerable<string> urls)
{
    foreach (var url in urls)
    {
        using var client = new HttpClient();
        var response = await client.GetAsync(url);
        var content = await response.Content.ReadAsStringAsync();
        
        yield return content;
    }
}

In this example, the DownloadAndProcessUrlsAsync method engages in asynchronous downloading of URL content, subsequently yielding it to the caller. This amalgamation of async and yield provides a streamlined approach to handling asynchronous operations for data sequences.

Consuming the Async Yield Method

To consume the async yield method, harness the await foreach statement introduced in C# 8. This statement adeptly traverses the enumerable sequence asynchronously, while awaiting each yielded value.

var urls = new List<string> { "https://example.com", "https://example.org" };
await foreach (var content in DownloadAndProcessUrlsAsync(urls))
{
    // Process the content asynchronously
    Console.WriteLine(content.Length);
}

The await foreach construct masterfully manages asynchronous iteration, ensuring each yielded value is processed seamlessly without impeding the calling thread.

Benefits of Async Yield

• Memory Efficiency: Async yield empowers handling sizable datasets or data streams sans loading everything into memory concurrently. This proves especially advantageous when grappling with files, databases, or network responses.
• Non-Blocking: The fusion of async and yield ensures asynchronous operations operate without obstructing the main thread, optimizing application responsiveness.
• Simplified Code: Async yield promotes cleaner, more readable code by abstracting the intricacies of asynchronous operations and iterator logic.

Real-World Example: Reading Large Files

Consider a scenario where you must asynchronously read and process an extensive text file line by line. Here, async yield proves remarkably efficient, enabling you to tackle the file line by line sans loading the entire file into memory:

public async IAsyncEnumerable<string> ReadLinesAsync(string filePath)
{
    using var reader = new StreamReader(filePath);
    string line;
    while ((line = await reader.ReadLineAsync()) != null)
    {
        yield return line;
    }
}

Employing await foreach to consume this method empowers you to process each file line upon reading, devoid of the need to load the entire file into memory.

Conclusion

The combination of async and yield in C# crafts a compelling approach for managing asynchronous operations on enumerable sequences. By harnessing async yield, you create efficient, non-blocking code for data processing, all while preserving code simplicity. This technique shines brightly when working with substantial datasets, streams, or sequences of asynchronous tasks, offering the means to craft code that’s both high-performing and effortlessly comprehensible. Whether dealing with network requests, file processing, or any asynchronous task, async yield offers an elegant solution that elevates the efficiency and responsiveness of your applications.

Read more C#/.NET tutorials Here!