Kotlin and Android From Scratch Practice Test - Exam Prep Guide

The reason this assertion is considered false is that while both `async()` and `runBlocking()` are part of Kotlin's coroutine library, they behave differently in terms of their return types. The `async()` function is designed to start a coroutine that will return a value, specifically a `Deferred<T>` type, which allows you to retrieve the result asynchronously using the `await()` function.

On the other hand, `runBlocking()` does not return a `Deferred`. Instead, it is used to bridge blocking code and coroutines—a function that runs a new coroutine and blocks the current thread until its completion. When using `runBlocking()`, you typically receive the value returned by the block you executed as a result of `runBlocking`, rather than a `Deferred`.

In summary, the key distinction is that `async()` does return a `Deferred`, while `runBlocking()` does not, making the statement about both functions returning a `Deferred` false. This clarity helps reinforce the understanding of when to use each function effectively, especially in the context of Kotlin coroutines in Android development.