Running Async Code in C# Console Applications: A Practical Guide

C#'s async/await pattern simplifies asynchronous programming, but integrating it into console applications poses a challenge. The traditional static void Main() method can't be marked as async, leading to compiler errors when attempting to use await directly.

Workaround Strategies:

• Separate Async Method: Encapsulate asynchronous operations within a separate method marked as async. Then, invoke this method from Main() using .GetAwaiter().GetResult() to execute it synchronously. This approach ensures exceptions are unwrapped properly, avoiding the AggregateException that occurs with .Result or .Wait().

• Async Main (C# 7.1 and Later): Starting with C# 7.1, you can define the entry point as static async Task Main(), allowing the use of await directly within Main(). This modernizes the approach and simplifies asynchronous code execution in console applications.

For a detailed explanation and code examples see Async/await in a console application.