How to Effectively Manage Background Tasks in WPF with Async/Await?

Executing Background Tasks Effectively in WPF

Traditionally, background tasks in WPF applications have been handled using approaches like TAP, TPL, BackgroundWorker, or Dispatcher. However, for tasks that require specific criteria, such as non-blocking UI, progress reporting, cancellation, and multithreading support, the recommended approach has evolved.

In .NET 4.5 and above, the best solution is to leverage the Task-based API and the async/await pattern. This allows developers to write code in a sequential manner while asynchronously executing tasks in the background. The use of exception handling is also simplified with structured error handling.

Consider the following example:

private async void Start(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
{
    try
    {
        await Task.Run(() =>
        {
            int progress = 0;
            for (; ; )
            {
                System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(1);
                progress++;
                Logger.Info(progress);
            }
        });
    }
    catch (Exception ex)
    {
        MessageBox.Show(ex.Message);
    }
}

Here, the Start method initiates an asynchronous task using Task.Run(), which allows the task to execute concurrently without interfering with the UI thread. The task runs in a loop, incrementing progress and logging information. Exception handling is handled within the async block.

This approach provides the desired non-blocking behavior, allows progress reporting, supports cancellation (through the cancellation token associated with the Task), and enables the task to be executed on multiple threads if desired.

For further reading on this topic, refer to the following resources:

• [How to execute task in the WPF background while able to provide report and allow cancellation?](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/642369/how-to-execute-task-in-the-wpf-background-while-able-to-provide-report-and-all)
• [Async in 4.5: Enabling Progress and Cancellation in Async APIs](https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj193081(v=vs.110).aspx)
• [Async and Await](https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh191443(v=vs.103).aspx)
• [Async/Await FAQ](https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/brada/2011/09/29/async-await-faq/)

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