// Three things to note in the signature:

//  - The method has an async modifier.

//  - The return type is Task or Task<T>. (See "Return Types" section.)

//    Here, it is Task<int> because the return statement returns an integer.

//  - The method name ends in "Async."

async Task<int> AccessTheWebAsync()

{

    // You need to add a reference to System.Net.Http to declare client.

    HttpClient client = new HttpClient();  

    // GetStringAsync returns a Task<string>. That means that when you await the

    // task you'll get a string (urlContents).

    Task<string> getStringTask = client.GetStringAsync("http://msdn.microsoft.com");  

    // You can do work here that doesn't rely on the string from GetStringAsync.

    DoIndependentWork();  

    // The await operator suspends AccessTheWebAsync.

    //  - AccessTheWebAsync can't continue until getStringTask is complete.

    //  - Meanwhile, control returns to the caller of AccessTheWebAsync.

    //  - Control resumes here when getStringTask is complete.

    //  - The await operator then retrieves the string result from getStringTask.

    string urlContents = await getStringTask;  

    // The return statement specifies an integer result.

    // Any methods that are awaiting AccessTheWebAsync retrieve the length value.

    return urlContents.Length;

}