async Task vs async void in C#

Question

Hello,

I expected the compiler to show an error and tell me "return Task" from the Show method.

Why don't we need to return a Task? Task is a class and I expected to return an instance of Task class.

What is the difference between static async Task Show() and static async void Show() ?
When should we use each one?

(I am beginner to this topic, could you please write a sample example?)

namespace ConsoleApp2  
{  
    internal class Program  
    {  
        static void Main(string[] args)  
        {  
  
        }  
        static async Task Show() // is it equal with 'static async void Show()' ?  
        {  
             // In fact, **Task is a class and I expected to return an instance of Task class.**  
            Console.WriteLine("!");  
            // we don't return anything!  
        }  
    }  
}

Accepted Answer

Why don't we need to return an instance of Task class? Task is a class and I expected to return an instance of Task class.

Confused...

Clearly you did not read the documentation and therefore you are making assumptions. The Task return type is used when an async method does not return a value. The compiler splits an async method into two parts; a caller and a listener. The Task type allows the listener to await a response. Await is like a marker that tells the code were to resume when the async task completes. An async void return type loses the ability to listen for a response. The exception is asynchronous event handlers.

It can be difficult to understand the Task type if you do not understand the basic mechanics of the async/await pattern. Please read the docs! That what the documentation is for especially if you are new to async/await.

Answer

You should see siggles as shown below with text explaining what will happen and a recommendation.

async Task vs async void in C#

1 additional answer