title: What's the benefit with using Async in an ASP.Net WebAPI method with EF?
body: <p>I recently asked a question and was given two answers:</p>
  
  <pre><code>The sync version:
  
  var phrasesCount = db.Phrases.Count();
  The async version (assuming this is EF):
  
  var phrasesCount = await db.Phrases.CountAsync();
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Can someone explain to me what the difference is and why I might want to use Async?</p>