EventWaitHandle Class

Definition

Namespace:

System.Threading

Assembly:

System.Threading.dll

Source:

EventWaitHandle.cs

Represents a thread synchronization event.

public ref class EventWaitHandle : System::Threading::WaitHandle

public class EventWaitHandle : System.Threading.WaitHandle

type EventWaitHandle = class
    inherit WaitHandle

Public Class EventWaitHandle
Inherits WaitHandle

Inheritance

Object

MarshalByRefObject

WaitHandle

EventWaitHandle

Derived

System.Threading.AutoResetEvent

System.Threading.ManualResetEvent

Examples

The following code example uses the SignalAndWait(WaitHandle, WaitHandle) method overload to allow the main thread to signal a blocked thread and then wait until the thread finishes a task.

The example starts five threads and allows them to block on an EventWaitHandle created with the EventResetMode.AutoReset flag, then releases one thread each time the user presses the Enter key. The example then queues another five threads and releases them all using an EventWaitHandle created with the EventResetMode.ManualReset flag.

using namespace System;
using namespace System::Threading;

public ref class Example
{
private:
   // The EventWaitHandle used to demonstrate the difference
   // between AutoReset and ManualReset synchronization events.
   //
   static EventWaitHandle^ ewh;

   // A counter to make sure all threads are started and
   // blocked before any are released. A Long is used to show
   // the use of the 64-bit Interlocked methods.
   //
   static __int64 threadCount = 0;

   // An AutoReset event that allows the main thread to block
   // until an exiting thread has decremented the count.
   //
   static EventWaitHandle^ clearCount =
      gcnew EventWaitHandle( false,EventResetMode::AutoReset );

public:
   [MTAThread]
   static void main()
   {
      // Create an AutoReset EventWaitHandle.
      //
      ewh = gcnew EventWaitHandle( false,EventResetMode::AutoReset );
      
      // Create and start five numbered threads. Use the
      // ParameterizedThreadStart delegate, so the thread
      // number can be passed as an argument to the Start
      // method.
      for ( int i = 0; i <= 4; i++ )
      {
         Thread^ t = gcnew Thread(
            gcnew ParameterizedThreadStart( ThreadProc ) );
         t->Start( i );
      }
      
      // Wait until all the threads have started and blocked.
      // When multiple threads use a 64-bit value on a 32-bit
      // system, you must access the value through the
      // Interlocked class to guarantee thread safety.
      //
      while ( Interlocked::Read( threadCount ) < 5 )
      {
         Thread::Sleep( 500 );
      }

      // Release one thread each time the user presses ENTER,
      // until all threads have been released.
      //
      while ( Interlocked::Read( threadCount ) > 0 )
      {
         Console::WriteLine( L"Press ENTER to release a waiting thread." );
         Console::ReadLine();
         
         // SignalAndWait signals the EventWaitHandle, which
         // releases exactly one thread before resetting,
         // because it was created with AutoReset mode.
         // SignalAndWait then blocks on clearCount, to
         // allow the signaled thread to decrement the count
         // before looping again.
         //
         WaitHandle::SignalAndWait( ewh, clearCount );
      }
      Console::WriteLine();
      
      // Create a ManualReset EventWaitHandle.
      //
      ewh = gcnew EventWaitHandle( false,EventResetMode::ManualReset );
      
      // Create and start five more numbered threads.
      //
      for ( int i = 0; i <= 4; i++ )
      {
         Thread^ t = gcnew Thread(
            gcnew ParameterizedThreadStart( ThreadProc ) );
         t->Start( i );
      }
      
      // Wait until all the threads have started and blocked.
      //
      while ( Interlocked::Read( threadCount ) < 5 )
      {
         Thread::Sleep( 500 );
      }

      // Because the EventWaitHandle was created with
      // ManualReset mode, signaling it releases all the
      // waiting threads.
      //
      Console::WriteLine( L"Press ENTER to release the waiting threads." );
      Console::ReadLine();
      ewh->Set();

   }

   static void ThreadProc( Object^ data )
   {
      int index = static_cast<Int32>(data);

      Console::WriteLine( L"Thread {0} blocks.", data );
      // Increment the count of blocked threads.
      Interlocked::Increment( threadCount );
      
      // Wait on the EventWaitHandle.
      ewh->WaitOne();

      Console::WriteLine( L"Thread {0} exits.", data );
      // Decrement the count of blocked threads.
      Interlocked::Decrement( threadCount );
      
      // After signaling ewh, the main thread blocks on
      // clearCount until the signaled thread has
      // decremented the count. Signal it now.
      //
      clearCount->Set();
   }
};

using System;
using System.Threading;

public class Example
{
    // The EventWaitHandle used to demonstrate the difference
    // between AutoReset and ManualReset synchronization events.
    //
    private static EventWaitHandle ewh;

    // A counter to make sure all threads are started and
    // blocked before any are released. A Long is used to show
    // the use of the 64-bit Interlocked methods.
    //
    private static long threadCount = 0;

    // An AutoReset event that allows the main thread to block
    // until an exiting thread has decremented the count.
    //
    private static EventWaitHandle clearCount = 
        new EventWaitHandle(false, EventResetMode.AutoReset);

    [MTAThread]
    public static void Main()
    {
        // Create an AutoReset EventWaitHandle.
        //
        ewh = new EventWaitHandle(false, EventResetMode.AutoReset);

        // Create and start five numbered threads. Use the
        // ParameterizedThreadStart delegate, so the thread
        // number can be passed as an argument to the Start 
        // method.
        for (int i = 0; i <= 4; i++)
        {
            Thread t = new Thread(
                new ParameterizedThreadStart(ThreadProc)
            );
            t.Start(i);
        }

        // Wait until all the threads have started and blocked.
        // When multiple threads use a 64-bit value on a 32-bit
        // system, you must access the value through the
        // Interlocked class to guarantee thread safety.
        //
        while (Interlocked.Read(ref threadCount) < 5)
        {
            Thread.Sleep(500);
        }

        // Release one thread each time the user presses ENTER,
        // until all threads have been released.
        //
        while (Interlocked.Read(ref threadCount) > 0)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Press ENTER to release a waiting thread.");
            Console.ReadLine();

            // SignalAndWait signals the EventWaitHandle, which
            // releases exactly one thread before resetting, 
            // because it was created with AutoReset mode. 
            // SignalAndWait then blocks on clearCount, to 
            // allow the signaled thread to decrement the count
            // before looping again.
            //
            WaitHandle.SignalAndWait(ewh, clearCount);
        }
        Console.WriteLine();

        // Create a ManualReset EventWaitHandle.
        //
        ewh = new EventWaitHandle(false, EventResetMode.ManualReset);

        // Create and start five more numbered threads.
        //
        for(int i=0; i<=4; i++)
        {
            Thread t = new Thread(
                new ParameterizedThreadStart(ThreadProc)
            );
            t.Start(i);
        }

        // Wait until all the threads have started and blocked.
        //
        while (Interlocked.Read(ref threadCount) < 5)
        {
            Thread.Sleep(500);
        }

        // Because the EventWaitHandle was created with
        // ManualReset mode, signaling it releases all the
        // waiting threads.
        //
        Console.WriteLine("Press ENTER to release the waiting threads.");
        Console.ReadLine();
        ewh.Set();
    }

    public static void ThreadProc(object data)
    {
        int index = (int) data;

        Console.WriteLine("Thread {0} blocks.", data);
        // Increment the count of blocked threads.
        Interlocked.Increment(ref threadCount);

        // Wait on the EventWaitHandle.
        ewh.WaitOne();

        Console.WriteLine("Thread {0} exits.", data);
        // Decrement the count of blocked threads.
        Interlocked.Decrement(ref threadCount);

        // After signaling ewh, the main thread blocks on
        // clearCount until the signaled thread has 
        // decremented the count. Signal it now.
        //
        clearCount.Set();
    }
}

Imports System.Threading

Public Class Example

    ' The EventWaitHandle used to demonstrate the difference
    ' between AutoReset and ManualReset synchronization events.
    '
    Private Shared ewh As EventWaitHandle

    ' A counter to make sure all threads are started and
    ' blocked before any are released. A Long is used to show
    ' the use of the 64-bit Interlocked methods.
    '
    Private Shared threadCount As Long = 0

    ' An AutoReset event that allows the main thread to block
    ' until an exiting thread has decremented the count.
    '
    Private Shared clearCount As New EventWaitHandle(False, _
        EventResetMode.AutoReset)

    <MTAThread> _
    Public Shared Sub Main()

        ' Create an AutoReset EventWaitHandle.
        '
        ewh = New EventWaitHandle(False, EventResetMode.AutoReset)

        ' Create and start five numbered threads. Use the
        ' ParameterizedThreadStart delegate, so the thread
        ' number can be passed as an argument to the Start 
        ' method.
        For i As Integer = 0 To 4
            Dim t As New Thread(AddressOf ThreadProc)
            t.Start(i)
        Next i

        ' Wait until all the threads have started and blocked.
        ' When multiple threads use a 64-bit value on a 32-bit
        ' system, you must access the value through the
        ' Interlocked class to guarantee thread safety.
        '
        While Interlocked.Read(threadCount) < 5
            Thread.Sleep(500)
        End While

        ' Release one thread each time the user presses ENTER,
        ' until all threads have been released.
        '
        While Interlocked.Read(threadCount) > 0
            Console.WriteLine("Press ENTER to release a waiting thread.")
            Console.ReadLine()

            ' SignalAndWait signals the EventWaitHandle, which
            ' releases exactly one thread before resetting, 
            ' because it was created with AutoReset mode. 
            ' SignalAndWait then blocks on clearCount, to 
            ' allow the signaled thread to decrement the count
            ' before looping again.
            '
            WaitHandle.SignalAndWait(ewh, clearCount)
        End While
        Console.WriteLine()

        ' Create a ManualReset EventWaitHandle.
        '
        ewh = New EventWaitHandle(False, EventResetMode.ManualReset)

        ' Create and start five more numbered threads.
        '
        For i As Integer = 0 To 4
            Dim t As New Thread(AddressOf ThreadProc)
            t.Start(i)
        Next i

        ' Wait until all the threads have started and blocked.
        '
        While Interlocked.Read(threadCount) < 5
            Thread.Sleep(500)
        End While

        ' Because the EventWaitHandle was created with
        ' ManualReset mode, signaling it releases all the
        ' waiting threads.
        '
        Console.WriteLine("Press ENTER to release the waiting threads.")
        Console.ReadLine()
        ewh.Set()
        
    End Sub

    Public Shared Sub ThreadProc(ByVal data As Object)
        Dim index As Integer = CInt(data)

        Console.WriteLine("Thread {0} blocks.", data)
        ' Increment the count of blocked threads.
        Interlocked.Increment(threadCount)

        ' Wait on the EventWaitHandle.
        ewh.WaitOne()

        Console.WriteLine("Thread {0} exits.", data)
        ' Decrement the count of blocked threads.
        Interlocked.Decrement(threadCount)

        ' After signaling ewh, the main thread blocks on
        ' clearCount until the signaled thread has 
        ' decremented the count. Signal it now.
        '
        clearCount.Set()
    End Sub
End Class

Remarks

The EventWaitHandle class allows threads to communicate with each other by signaling. Typically, one or more threads block on an EventWaitHandle until an unblocked thread calls the Set method, releasing one or more of the blocked threads. A thread can signal an EventWaitHandle and then block on it, by calling the static (Shared in Visual Basic) WaitHandle.SignalAndWait method.

Note

The EventWaitHandle class provides access to named system synchronization events.

The behavior of an EventWaitHandle that has been signaled depends on its reset mode. An EventWaitHandle created with the EventResetMode.AutoReset flag resets automatically when signaled, after releasing a single waiting thread. An EventWaitHandle created with the EventResetMode.ManualReset flag remains signaled until its Reset method is called.

Automatic reset events provide exclusive access to a resource. If an automatic reset event is signaled when no threads are waiting, it remains signaled until a thread attempts to wait on it. The event releases the thread and immediately resets, blocking subsequent threads.

Manual reset events are like gates. When the event is not signaled, threads that wait on it will block. When the event is signaled, all waiting threads are released, and the event remains signaled (that is, subsequent waits do not block) until its Reset method is called. Manual reset events are useful when one thread must complete an activity before other threads can proceed.

EventWaitHandle objects can be used with the static(Shared in Visual Basic) WaitHandle.WaitAll and WaitHandle.WaitAny methods.

For more information, see the Thread interaction, or signaling section of the Overview of synchronization primitives article.

Caution

By default, a named event is not restricted to the user that created it. Other users may be able to open and use the event, including interfering with the event by setting or resetting it inappropriately. To restrict access to specific users, you can use a constructor overload or EventWaitHandleAcl and pass in an EventWaitHandleSecurity when creating the named event. Avoid using named events without access restrictions on systems that might have untrusted users running code.

Constructors

EventWaitHandle(Boolean, EventResetMode)	Initializes a new instance of the EventWaitHandle class, specifying whether the wait handle is initially signaled, and whether it resets automatically or manually.
EventWaitHandle(Boolean, EventResetMode, String)	Initializes a new instance of the EventWaitHandle class, specifying whether the wait handle is initially signaled if created as a result of this call, whether it resets automatically or manually, and the name of a system synchronization event.
EventWaitHandle(Boolean, EventResetMode, String, Boolean)	Initializes a new instance of the EventWaitHandle class, specifying whether the wait handle is initially signaled if created as a result of this call, whether it resets automatically or manually, the name of a system synchronization event, and a Boolean variable whose value after the call indicates whether the named system event was created.

Fields

WaitTimeout

Indicates that a WaitAny(WaitHandle[], Int32, Boolean) operation timed out before any of the wait handles were signaled. This field is constant. (Inherited from WaitHandle)

Properties

Handle	Obsolete. Gets or sets the native operating system handle. (Inherited from WaitHandle)
SafeWaitHandle	Gets or sets the native operating system handle. (Inherited from WaitHandle)

Methods

Close()	Releases all resources held by the current WaitHandle. (Inherited from WaitHandle)
CreateObjRef(Type)	Creates an object that contains all the relevant information required to generate a proxy used to communicate with a remote object. (Inherited from MarshalByRefObject)
Dispose()	Releases all resources used by the current instance of the WaitHandle class. (Inherited from WaitHandle)
Dispose(Boolean)	When overridden in a derived class, releases the unmanaged resources used by the WaitHandle, and optionally releases the managed resources. (Inherited from WaitHandle)
Equals(Object)	Determines whether the specified object is equal to the current object. (Inherited from Object)
GetHashCode()	Serves as the default hash function. (Inherited from Object)
GetLifetimeService()	Obsolete. Retrieves the current lifetime service object that controls the lifetime policy for this instance. (Inherited from MarshalByRefObject)
GetType()	Gets the Type of the current instance. (Inherited from Object)
InitializeLifetimeService()	Obsolete. Obtains a lifetime service object to control the lifetime policy for this instance. (Inherited from MarshalByRefObject)
MemberwiseClone()	Creates a shallow copy of the current Object. (Inherited from Object)
MemberwiseClone(Boolean)	Creates a shallow copy of the current MarshalByRefObject object. (Inherited from MarshalByRefObject)
OpenExisting(String)	Opens the specified named synchronization event, if it already exists.
Reset()	Sets the state of the event to nonsignaled, causing threads to block.
Set()	Sets the state of the event to signaled, allowing one or more waiting threads to proceed.
ToString()	Returns a string that represents the current object. (Inherited from Object)
TryOpenExisting(String, EventWaitHandle)	Opens the specified named synchronization event, if it already exists, and returns a value that indicates whether the operation succeeded.
WaitOne()	Blocks the current thread until the current WaitHandle receives a signal. (Inherited from WaitHandle)
WaitOne(Int32)	Blocks the current thread until the current WaitHandle receives a signal, using a 32-bit signed integer to specify the time interval in milliseconds. (Inherited from WaitHandle)
WaitOne(Int32, Boolean)	Blocks the current thread until the current WaitHandle receives a signal, using a 32-bit signed integer to specify the time interval and specifying whether to exit the synchronization domain before the wait. (Inherited from WaitHandle)
WaitOne(TimeSpan)	Blocks the current thread until the current instance receives a signal, using a TimeSpan to specify the time interval. (Inherited from WaitHandle)
WaitOne(TimeSpan, Boolean)	Blocks the current thread until the current instance receives a signal, using a TimeSpan to specify the time interval and specifying whether to exit the synchronization domain before the wait. (Inherited from WaitHandle)

Extension Methods

GetAccessControl(EventWaitHandle)	Returns the security descriptors for the specified handle.
SetAccessControl(EventWaitHandle, EventWaitHandleSecurity)	Sets the security descriptors for the specified event wait handle.
GetSafeWaitHandle(WaitHandle)	Gets the safe handle for a native operating system wait handle.
SetSafeWaitHandle(WaitHandle, SafeWaitHandle)	Sets a safe handle for a native operating system wait handle.

Thread Safety

This type is thread safe.

See also

• WaitHandle
• AutoResetEvent
• ManualResetEvent
• Managed Threading
• Overview of synchronization primitives