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EventWaitHandle Constructors

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Definition

Namespace:
System.Threading
Assembly:
System.Threading.dll
Assembly:
mscorlib.dll
Assembly:
netstandard.dll

Initializes a new instance of the EventWaitHandle class.

Overloads

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.
EventWaitHandle(Boolean, EventResetMode, String, Boolean, EventWaitHandleSecurity)

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, a Boolean variable whose value after the call indicates whether the named system event was created, and the access control security to be applied to the named event if it is created.

EventWaitHandle(Boolean, EventResetMode)

Source:
EventWaitHandle.cs
Source:
EventWaitHandle.cs
Source:
EventWaitHandle.cs

Initializes a new instance of the EventWaitHandle class, specifying whether the wait handle is initially signaled, and whether it resets automatically or manually.

public:
 EventWaitHandle(bool initialState, System::Threading::EventResetMode mode);
public EventWaitHandle (bool initialState, System.Threading.EventResetMode mode);
new System.Threading.EventWaitHandle : bool * System.Threading.EventResetMode -> System.Threading.EventWaitHandle
Public Sub New (initialState As Boolean, mode As EventResetMode)

Parameters

initialState
Boolean

true to set the initial state to signaled; false to set it to nonsignaled.

mode
EventResetMode

One of the EventResetMode values that determines whether the event resets automatically or manually.

Exceptions

ArgumentException

The mode enum value was out of legal range.

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

If the initial state of the event is nonsignaled, threads that wait on the event will block. If the initial state is signaled, and the ManualReset flag is specified for mode, threads that wait on the event will not block. If the initial state is signaled, and mode is AutoReset, the first thread that waits on the event will be released immediately, after which the event will reset, and subsequent threads will block.

See also

Applies to

EventWaitHandle(Boolean, EventResetMode, String)

Source:
EventWaitHandle.cs
Source:
EventWaitHandle.cs
Source:
EventWaitHandle.cs

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.

public:
 EventWaitHandle(bool initialState, System::Threading::EventResetMode mode, System::String ^ name);
[System.Security.SecurityCritical]
public EventWaitHandle (bool initialState, System.Threading.EventResetMode mode, string name);
public EventWaitHandle (bool initialState, System.Threading.EventResetMode mode, string? name);
public EventWaitHandle (bool initialState, System.Threading.EventResetMode mode, string name);
[<System.Security.SecurityCritical>]
new System.Threading.EventWaitHandle : bool * System.Threading.EventResetMode * string -> System.Threading.EventWaitHandle
new System.Threading.EventWaitHandle : bool * System.Threading.EventResetMode * string -> System.Threading.EventWaitHandle
Public Sub New (initialState As Boolean, mode As EventResetMode, name As String)

Parameters

initialState
Boolean

true to set the initial state to signaled if the named event is created as a result of this call; false to set it to nonsignaled.

mode
EventResetMode

One of the EventResetMode values that determines whether the event resets automatically or manually.

name
String

The name, if the synchronization object is to be shared with other processes; otherwise, null or an empty string. The name is case-sensitive. The backslash character (\) is reserved and may only be used to specify a namespace. For more information on namespaces, see the remarks section. There may be further restrictions on the name depending on the operating system. For example, on Unix-based operating systems, the name after excluding the namespace must be a valid file name.

Attributes
SecurityCriticalAttribute

Exceptions

IOException

name is invalid. This can be for various reasons, including some restrictions that may be placed by the operating system, such as an unknown prefix or invalid characters. Note that the name and common prefixes "Global\" and "Local\" are case-sensitive.

-or-

There was some other error. The HResult property may provide more information.

DirectoryNotFoundException

Windows only: name specified an unknown namespace. See Object Names for more information.

PathTooLongException

The name is too long. Length restrictions may depend on the operating system or configuration.

UnauthorizedAccessException

The named event exists and has access control security, but the user does not have FullControl.

WaitHandleCannotBeOpenedException

A synchronization object with the provided name cannot be created. A synchronization object of a different type might have the same name.

ArgumentException

The mode enum value was out of legal range.

-or-

.NET Framework only: name is longer than MAX_PATH (260 characters).

Remarks

The name may be prefixed with Global\ or Local\ to specify a namespace. When the Global namespace is specified, the synchronization object may be shared with any processes on the system. When the Local namespace is specified, which is also the default when no namespace is specified, the synchronization object may be shared with processes in the same session. On Windows, a session is a login session, and services typically run in a different non-interactive session. On Unix-like operating systems, each shell has its own session. Session-local synchronization objects may be appropriate for synchronizing between processes with a parent/child relationship where they all run in the same session. For more information about synchronization object names on Windows, see Object Names.

If a name is provided and a synchronization object of the requested type already exists in the namespace, the existing synchronization object is opened. If a synchronization object of a different type already exists in the namespace, a WaitHandleCannotBeOpenedException is thrown. Otherwise, a new synchronization object is created.

If a system event with the name specified for the name parameter already exists, the initialState parameter is ignored.

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.

Important

When using this constructor for named system events, specify false for initialState. This constructor provides no way to determine whether a named system event was created, so you cannot make any assumptions about the state of the named event. To determine whether a named event was created, use the EventWaitHandle(Boolean, EventResetMode, String, Boolean) constructor or the EventWaitHandle(Boolean, EventResetMode, String, Boolean, EventWaitHandleSecurity) constructor.

If the initial state of the event is nonsignaled, threads that wait on the event will block. If the initial state is signaled, and the ManualReset flag is specified for mode, threads that wait on the event will not block. If the initial state is signaled, and mode is AutoReset, the first thread that waits on the event will be released immediately, after which the event will reset, and subsequent threads will block.

See also

Applies to

EventWaitHandle(Boolean, EventResetMode, String, Boolean)

Source:
EventWaitHandle.cs
Source:
EventWaitHandle.cs
Source:
EventWaitHandle.cs

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.

public:
 EventWaitHandle(bool initialState, System::Threading::EventResetMode mode, System::String ^ name, [Runtime::InteropServices::Out] bool % createdNew);
[System.Security.SecurityCritical]
public EventWaitHandle (bool initialState, System.Threading.EventResetMode mode, string name, out bool createdNew);
public EventWaitHandle (bool initialState, System.Threading.EventResetMode mode, string? name, out bool createdNew);
public EventWaitHandle (bool initialState, System.Threading.EventResetMode mode, string name, out bool createdNew);
[<System.Security.SecurityCritical>]
new System.Threading.EventWaitHandle : bool * System.Threading.EventResetMode * string * bool -> System.Threading.EventWaitHandle
new System.Threading.EventWaitHandle : bool * System.Threading.EventResetMode * string * bool -> System.Threading.EventWaitHandle
Public Sub New (initialState As Boolean, mode As EventResetMode, name As String, ByRef createdNew As Boolean)

Parameters

initialState
Boolean

true to set the initial state to signaled if the named event is created as a result of this call; false to set it to nonsignaled.

mode
EventResetMode

One of the EventResetMode values that determines whether the event resets automatically or manually.

name
String

The name, if the synchronization object is to be shared with other processes; otherwise, null or an empty string. The name is case-sensitive. The backslash character (\) is reserved and may only be used to specify a namespace. For more information on namespaces, see the remarks section. There may be further restrictions on the name depending on the operating system. For example, on Unix-based operating systems, the name after excluding the namespace must be a valid file name.

createdNew
Boolean

When this method returns, contains true if a local event was created (that is, if name is null or an empty string) or if the specified named system event was created; false if the specified named system event already existed. This parameter is passed uninitialized.

Attributes
SecurityCriticalAttribute

Exceptions

IOException

name is invalid. This can be for various reasons, including some restrictions that may be placed by the operating system, such as an unknown prefix or invalid characters. Note that the name and common prefixes "Global\" and "Local\" are case-sensitive.

-or-

There was some other error. The HResult property may provide more information.

DirectoryNotFoundException

Windows only: name specified an unknown namespace. See Object Names for more information.

PathTooLongException

The name is too long. Length restrictions may depend on the operating system or configuration.

UnauthorizedAccessException

The named event exists and has access control security, but the user does not have FullControl.

WaitHandleCannotBeOpenedException

A synchronization object with the provided name cannot be created. A synchronization object of a different type might have the same name.

ArgumentException

The mode enum value was out of legal range.

-or-

.NET Framework only: name is longer than MAX_PATH (260 characters).

Remarks

The name may be prefixed with Global\ or Local\ to specify a namespace. When the Global namespace is specified, the synchronization object may be shared with any processes on the system. When the Local namespace is specified, which is also the default when no namespace is specified, the synchronization object may be shared with processes in the same session. On Windows, a session is a login session, and services typically run in a different non-interactive session. On Unix-like operating systems, each shell has its own session. Session-local synchronization objects may be appropriate for synchronizing between processes with a parent/child relationship where they all run in the same session. For more information about synchronization object names on Windows, see Object Names.

If a name is provided and a synchronization object of the requested type already exists in the namespace, the existing synchronization object is opened. If a synchronization object of a different type already exists in the namespace, a WaitHandleCannotBeOpenedException is thrown. Otherwise, a new synchronization object is created.

If a system event with the name specified for the name parameter already exists, the initialState parameter is ignored. After calling this constructor, use the value in the variable specified for the ref parameter (ByRef parameter in Visual Basic)createdNew to determine whether the named system event already existed or was created.

If the initial state of the event is nonsignaled, threads that wait on the event will block. If the initial state is signaled, and the ManualReset flag is specified for mode, threads that wait on the event will not block. If the initial state is signaled, and mode is AutoReset, the first thread that waits on the event will be released immediately, after which the event will reset, and subsequent threads will block.

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.

See also

Applies to

EventWaitHandle(Boolean, EventResetMode, String, Boolean, EventWaitHandleSecurity)

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, a Boolean variable whose value after the call indicates whether the named system event was created, and the access control security to be applied to the named event if it is created.

public:
 EventWaitHandle(bool initialState, System::Threading::EventResetMode mode, System::String ^ name, [Runtime::InteropServices::Out] bool % createdNew, System::Security::AccessControl::EventWaitHandleSecurity ^ eventSecurity);
public EventWaitHandle (bool initialState, System.Threading.EventResetMode mode, string name, out bool createdNew, System.Security.AccessControl.EventWaitHandleSecurity eventSecurity);
[System.Security.SecurityCritical]
public EventWaitHandle (bool initialState, System.Threading.EventResetMode mode, string name, out bool createdNew, System.Security.AccessControl.EventWaitHandleSecurity eventSecurity);
new System.Threading.EventWaitHandle : bool * System.Threading.EventResetMode * string * bool * System.Security.AccessControl.EventWaitHandleSecurity -> System.Threading.EventWaitHandle
[<System.Security.SecurityCritical>]
new System.Threading.EventWaitHandle : bool * System.Threading.EventResetMode * string * bool * System.Security.AccessControl.EventWaitHandleSecurity -> System.Threading.EventWaitHandle
Public Sub New (initialState As Boolean, mode As EventResetMode, name As String, ByRef createdNew As Boolean, eventSecurity As EventWaitHandleSecurity)

Parameters

initialState
Boolean

true to set the initial state to signaled if the named event is created as a result of this call; false to set it to nonsignaled.

mode
EventResetMode

One of the EventResetMode values that determines whether the event resets automatically or manually.

name
String

The name, if the synchronization object is to be shared with other processes; otherwise, null or an empty string. The name is case-sensitive. The backslash character (\) is reserved and may only be used to specify a namespace. For more information on namespaces, see the remarks section. There may be further restrictions on the name depending on the operating system. For example, on Unix-based operating systems, the name after excluding the namespace must be a valid file name.

createdNew
Boolean

When this method returns, contains true if a local event was created (that is, if name is null or an empty string) or if the specified named system event was created; false if the specified named system event already existed. This parameter is passed uninitialized.

eventSecurity
EventWaitHandleSecurity

An EventWaitHandleSecurity object that represents the access control security to be applied to the named system event.

Attributes
SecurityCriticalAttribute

Exceptions

IOException

name is invalid. This can be for various reasons, including some restrictions that may be placed by the operating system, such as an unknown prefix or invalid characters. Note that the name and common prefixes "Global\" and "Local\" are case-sensitive.

-or-

There was some other error. The HResult property may provide more information.

DirectoryNotFoundException

Windows only: name specified an unknown namespace. See Object Names for more information.

PathTooLongException

The name is too long. Length restrictions may depend on the operating system or configuration.

UnauthorizedAccessException

The named event exists and has access control security, but the user does not have FullControl.

WaitHandleCannotBeOpenedException

A synchronization object with the provided name cannot be created. A synchronization object of a different type might have the same name.

ArgumentException

The mode enum value was out of legal range.

-or-

.NET Framework only: name is longer than MAX_PATH (260 characters).

Examples

The following code example demonstrates the cross-process behavior of a named system event with access control security. The example uses the OpenExisting(String) method overload to test for the existence of a named event.

If the event does not exist, it is created with initial ownership and access control security that denies the current user the right to use the event, but grants the right to read and change permissions on the event.

If you run the compiled example from two command windows, the second copy will throw an access violation exception on the call to OpenExisting(String). The exception is caught, and the example uses the OpenExisting(String, EventWaitHandleRights) method overload to wait on the event with the rights needed to read and change the permissions.

After the permissions are changed, the event is opened with the rights required to wait on it and signal it. If you run the compiled example from a third command window, the example runs using the new permissions.

using namespace System;
using namespace System::Threading;
using namespace System::Security::AccessControl;
using namespace System::Security::Permissions;

public ref class Example
{
public:
   [SecurityPermissionAttribute(SecurityAction::Demand,Flags=SecurityPermissionFlag::UnmanagedCode)]
   static void Main()
   {
      String^ ewhName = L"EventWaitHandleExample5";

      EventWaitHandle^ ewh = nullptr;
      bool doesNotExist = false;
      bool unauthorized = false;
      
      // The value of this variable is set by the event
      // constructor. It is true if the named system event was
      // created, and false if the named event already existed.
      //
      bool wasCreated;
      
      // Attempt to open the named event.
      try
      {
         // Open the event with (EventWaitHandleRights.Synchronize
         // | EventWaitHandleRights.Modify), to wait on and
         // signal the named event.
         //
         ewh = EventWaitHandle::OpenExisting( ewhName );
      }
      catch ( WaitHandleCannotBeOpenedException^ ) 
      {
         Console::WriteLine( L"Named event does not exist." );
         doesNotExist = true;
      }
      catch ( UnauthorizedAccessException^ ex ) 
      {
         Console::WriteLine( L"Unauthorized access: {0}", ex->Message );
         unauthorized = true;
      }

      // There are three cases: (1) The event does not exist.
      // (2) The event exists, but the current user doesn't
      // have access. (3) The event exists and the user has
      // access.
      //
      if ( doesNotExist )
      {
         // The event does not exist, so create it.

         // Create an access control list (ACL) that denies the
         // current user the right to wait on or signal the
         // event, but allows the right to read and change
         // security information for the event.
         //
         String^ user = String::Concat( Environment::UserDomainName, L"\\",
            Environment::UserName );
         EventWaitHandleSecurity^ ewhSec = gcnew EventWaitHandleSecurity;
         //following constructor fails
         EventWaitHandleAccessRule^ rule = gcnew EventWaitHandleAccessRule(
            user,
            static_cast<EventWaitHandleRights>(
               EventWaitHandleRights::Synchronize | 
               EventWaitHandleRights::Modify),
            AccessControlType::Deny );
         ewhSec->AddAccessRule( rule );

         rule = gcnew EventWaitHandleAccessRule( user,
            static_cast<EventWaitHandleRights>(
               EventWaitHandleRights::ReadPermissions | 
               EventWaitHandleRights::ChangePermissions),
            AccessControlType::Allow );
         ewhSec->AddAccessRule( rule );
         
         // Create an EventWaitHandle object that represents
         // the system event named by the constant 'ewhName',
         // initially signaled, with automatic reset, and with
         // the specified security access. The Boolean value that
         // indicates creation of the underlying system object
         // is placed in wasCreated.
         //
         ewh = gcnew EventWaitHandle( true,
            EventResetMode::AutoReset,
            ewhName,
            wasCreated,
            ewhSec );
         
         // If the named system event was created, it can be
         // used by the current instance of this program, even
         // though the current user is denied access. The current
         // program owns the event. Otherwise, exit the program.
         //
         if ( wasCreated )
         {
            Console::WriteLine( L"Created the named event." );
         }
         else
         {
            Console::WriteLine( L"Unable to create the event." );
            return;
         }
      }
      else if ( unauthorized )
      {
         // Open the event to read and change the access control
         // security. The access control security defined above
         // allows the current user to do this.
         //
         try
         {
            ewh = EventWaitHandle::OpenExisting( ewhName, 
               static_cast<EventWaitHandleRights>(
                  EventWaitHandleRights::ReadPermissions |
                  EventWaitHandleRights::ChangePermissions) );
            
            // Get the current ACL. This requires
            // EventWaitHandleRights.ReadPermissions.
            EventWaitHandleSecurity^ ewhSec = ewh->GetAccessControl();
            String^ user = String::Concat( Environment::UserDomainName, L"\\",
               Environment::UserName );
            
            // First, the rule that denied the current user
            // the right to enter and release the event must
            // be removed.
            EventWaitHandleAccessRule^ rule = gcnew EventWaitHandleAccessRule(
               user,
               static_cast<EventWaitHandleRights>(
                  EventWaitHandleRights::Synchronize |
                  EventWaitHandleRights::Modify),
               AccessControlType::Deny );
            ewhSec->RemoveAccessRule( rule );
            
            // Now grant the user the correct rights.
            //
            rule = gcnew EventWaitHandleAccessRule( user,
               static_cast<EventWaitHandleRights>(
                  EventWaitHandleRights::Synchronize |
                  EventWaitHandleRights::Modify),
               AccessControlType::Allow );
            ewhSec->AddAccessRule( rule );
            
            // Update the ACL. This requires
            // EventWaitHandleRights.ChangePermissions.
            ewh->SetAccessControl( ewhSec );
            Console::WriteLine( L"Updated event security." );
            
            // Open the event with (EventWaitHandleRights.Synchronize
            // | EventWaitHandleRights.Modify), the rights required
            // to wait on and signal the event.
            //
            ewh = EventWaitHandle::OpenExisting( ewhName );
         }
         catch ( UnauthorizedAccessException^ ex ) 
         {
            Console::WriteLine( L"Unable to change permissions: {0}",
               ex->Message );
            return;
         }

      }
      
      // Wait on the event, and hold it until the program
      // exits.
      //
      try
      {
         Console::WriteLine( L"Wait on the event." );
         ewh->WaitOne();
         Console::WriteLine( L"Event was signaled." );
         Console::WriteLine( L"Press the Enter key to signal the event and exit." );
         Console::ReadLine();
      }
      catch ( UnauthorizedAccessException^ ex ) 
      {
         Console::WriteLine( L"Unauthorized access: {0}", ex->Message );
      }
      finally
      {
         ewh->Set();
      }
   }
};

int main()
{
   Example::Main();
}

using System;
using System.Threading;
using System.Security.AccessControl;

internal class Example
{
    internal static void Main()
    {
        const string ewhName = "EventWaitHandleExample5";

        EventWaitHandle ewh = null;
        bool doesNotExist = false;
        bool unauthorized = false;

        // The value of this variable is set by the event
        // constructor. It is true if the named system event was
        // created, and false if the named event already existed.
        //
        bool wasCreated;

        // Attempt to open the named event.
        try
        {
            // Open the event with (EventWaitHandleRights.Synchronize
            // | EventWaitHandleRights.Modify), to wait on and 
            // signal the named event.
            //
            ewh = EventWaitHandle.OpenExisting(ewhName);
        }
        catch (WaitHandleCannotBeOpenedException)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Named event does not exist.");
            doesNotExist = true;
        }
        catch (UnauthorizedAccessException ex)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Unauthorized access: {0}", ex.Message);
            unauthorized = true;
        }

        // There are three cases: (1) The event does not exist.
        // (2) The event exists, but the current user doesn't 
        // have access. (3) The event exists and the user has
        // access.
        //
        if (doesNotExist)
        {
            // The event does not exist, so create it.

            // Create an access control list (ACL) that denies the
            // current user the right to wait on or signal the 
            // event, but allows the right to read and change
            // security information for the event.
            //
            string user = Environment.UserDomainName + "\\"
                + Environment.UserName;
            EventWaitHandleSecurity ewhSec = 
                new EventWaitHandleSecurity();

            EventWaitHandleAccessRule rule = 
                new EventWaitHandleAccessRule(user, 
                    EventWaitHandleRights.Synchronize | 
                    EventWaitHandleRights.Modify, 
                    AccessControlType.Deny);
            ewhSec.AddAccessRule(rule);

            rule = new EventWaitHandleAccessRule(user, 
                EventWaitHandleRights.ReadPermissions | 
                EventWaitHandleRights.ChangePermissions, 
                AccessControlType.Allow);
            ewhSec.AddAccessRule(rule);

            // Create an EventWaitHandle object that represents
            // the system event named by the constant 'ewhName', 
            // initially signaled, with automatic reset, and with
            // the specified security access. The Boolean value that 
            // indicates creation of the underlying system object
            // is placed in wasCreated.
            //
            ewh = new EventWaitHandle(true, 
                EventResetMode.AutoReset, 
                ewhName, 
                out wasCreated, 
                ewhSec);

            // If the named system event was created, it can be
            // used by the current instance of this program, even 
            // though the current user is denied access. The current
            // program owns the event. Otherwise, exit the program.
            // 
            if (wasCreated)
            {
                Console.WriteLine("Created the named event.");
            }
            else
            {
                Console.WriteLine("Unable to create the event.");
                return;
            }
        }
        else if (unauthorized)
        {
            // Open the event to read and change the access control
            // security. The access control security defined above
            // allows the current user to do this.
            //
            try
            {
                ewh = EventWaitHandle.OpenExisting(ewhName, 
                    EventWaitHandleRights.ReadPermissions | 
                    EventWaitHandleRights.ChangePermissions);

                // Get the current ACL. This requires 
                // EventWaitHandleRights.ReadPermissions.
                EventWaitHandleSecurity ewhSec = ewh.GetAccessControl();
                
                string user = Environment.UserDomainName + "\\"
                    + Environment.UserName;

                // First, the rule that denied the current user 
                // the right to enter and release the event must
                // be removed.
                EventWaitHandleAccessRule rule = 
                    new EventWaitHandleAccessRule(user, 
                        EventWaitHandleRights.Synchronize | 
                        EventWaitHandleRights.Modify, 
                        AccessControlType.Deny);
                ewhSec.RemoveAccessRule(rule);

                // Now grant the user the correct rights.
                // 
                rule = new EventWaitHandleAccessRule(user, 
                    EventWaitHandleRights.Synchronize | 
                    EventWaitHandleRights.Modify, 
                    AccessControlType.Allow);
                ewhSec.AddAccessRule(rule);

                // Update the ACL. This requires
                // EventWaitHandleRights.ChangePermissions.
                ewh.SetAccessControl(ewhSec);

                Console.WriteLine("Updated event security.");

                // Open the event with (EventWaitHandleRights.Synchronize 
                // | EventWaitHandleRights.Modify), the rights required
                // to wait on and signal the event.
                //
                ewh = EventWaitHandle.OpenExisting(ewhName);
            }
            catch (UnauthorizedAccessException ex)
            {
                Console.WriteLine("Unable to change permissions: {0}",
                    ex.Message);
                return;
            }
        }

        // Wait on the event, and hold it until the program
        // exits.
        //
        try
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Wait on the event.");
            ewh.WaitOne();
            Console.WriteLine("Event was signaled.");
            Console.WriteLine("Press the Enter key to signal the event and exit.");
            Console.ReadLine();
        }
        catch (UnauthorizedAccessException ex)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Unauthorized access: {0}", ex.Message);
        }
        finally
        {
            ewh.Set();
        }
    }
}

Imports System.Threading
Imports System.Security.AccessControl

Friend Class Example

    <MTAThread> _
    Friend Shared Sub Main()
        Const ewhName As String = "EventWaitHandleExample5"

        Dim ewh As EventWaitHandle = Nothing
        Dim doesNotExist as Boolean = False
        Dim unauthorized As Boolean = False

        ' The value of this variable is set by the event
        ' constructor. It is True if the named system event was
        ' created, and False if the named event already existed.
        '
        Dim wasCreated As Boolean

        ' Attempt to open the named event.
        Try
            ' Open the event with (EventWaitHandleRights.Synchronize
            ' Or EventWaitHandleRights.Modify), to wait on and 
            ' signal the named event.
            '
            ewh = EventWaitHandle.OpenExisting(ewhName)
        Catch ex As WaitHandleCannotBeOpenedException
            Console.WriteLine("Named event does not exist.")
            doesNotExist = True
        Catch ex As UnauthorizedAccessException
            Console.WriteLine("Unauthorized access: {0}", ex.Message)
            unauthorized = True
        End Try

        ' There are three cases: (1) The event does not exist.
        ' (2) The event exists, but the current user doesn't 
        ' have access. (3) The event exists and the user has
        ' access.
        '
        If doesNotExist Then
            ' The event does not exist, so create it.

            ' Create an access control list (ACL) that denies the
            ' current user the right to wait on or signal the 
            ' event, but allows the right to read and change
            ' security information for the event.
            '
            Dim user As String = Environment.UserDomainName _ 
                & "\" & Environment.UserName
            Dim ewhSec As New EventWaitHandleSecurity()

            Dim rule As New EventWaitHandleAccessRule(user, _
                EventWaitHandleRights.Synchronize Or _
                EventWaitHandleRights.Modify, _
                AccessControlType.Deny)
            ewhSec.AddAccessRule(rule)

            rule = New EventWaitHandleAccessRule(user, _
                EventWaitHandleRights.ReadPermissions Or _
                EventWaitHandleRights.ChangePermissions, _
                AccessControlType.Allow)
            ewhSec.AddAccessRule(rule)

            ' Create an EventWaitHandle object that represents
            ' the system event named by the constant 'ewhName', 
            ' initially signaled, with automatic reset, and with
            ' the specified security access. The Boolean value that 
            ' indicates creation of the underlying system object
            ' is placed in wasCreated.
            '
            ewh = New EventWaitHandle(True, _
                EventResetMode.AutoReset, ewhName, _
                wasCreated, ewhSec)

            ' If the named system event was created, it can be
            ' used by the current instance of this program, even 
            ' though the current user is denied access. The current
            ' program owns the event. Otherwise, exit the program.
            ' 
            If wasCreated Then
                Console.WriteLine("Created the named event.")
            Else
                Console.WriteLine("Unable to create the event.")
                Return
            End If

        ElseIf unauthorized Then

            ' Open the event to read and change the access control
            ' security. The access control security defined above
            ' allows the current user to do this.
            '
            Try
                ewh = EventWaitHandle.OpenExisting(ewhName, _
                    EventWaitHandleRights.ReadPermissions Or _
                    EventWaitHandleRights.ChangePermissions)

                ' Get the current ACL. This requires 
                ' EventWaitHandleRights.ReadPermissions.
                Dim ewhSec As EventWaitHandleSecurity = _
                    ewh.GetAccessControl()
                
                Dim user As String = Environment.UserDomainName _ 
                    & "\" & Environment.UserName

                ' First, the rule that denied the current user 
                ' the right to enter and release the event must
                ' be removed.
                Dim rule As New EventWaitHandleAccessRule(user, _
                    EventWaitHandleRights.Synchronize Or _
                    EventWaitHandleRights.Modify, _
                    AccessControlType.Deny)
                ewhSec.RemoveAccessRule(rule)

                ' Now grant the user the correct rights.
                ' 
                rule = New EventWaitHandleAccessRule(user, _
                    EventWaitHandleRights.Synchronize Or _
                    EventWaitHandleRights.Modify, _
                    AccessControlType.Allow)
                ewhSec.AddAccessRule(rule)

                ' Update the ACL. This requires
                ' EventWaitHandleRights.ChangePermissions.
                ewh.SetAccessControl(ewhSec)

                Console.WriteLine("Updated event security.")

                ' Open the event with (EventWaitHandleRights.Synchronize 
                ' Or EventWaitHandleRights.Modify), the rights required
                ' to wait on and signal the event.
                '
                ewh = EventWaitHandle.OpenExisting(ewhName)

            Catch ex As UnauthorizedAccessException
                Console.WriteLine("Unable to change permissions: {0}", _
                    ex.Message)
                Return
            End Try

        End If

        ' Wait on the event, and hold it until the program
        ' exits.
        '
        Try
            Console.WriteLine("Wait on the event.")
            ewh.WaitOne()
            Console.WriteLine("Event was signaled.")
            Console.WriteLine("Press the Enter key to signal the event and exit.")
            Console.ReadLine()
        Catch ex As UnauthorizedAccessException
            Console.WriteLine("Unauthorized access: {0}", _
                ex.Message)
        Finally
            ewh.Set()
        End Try
    End Sub 
End Class

Remarks

Use this constructor to apply access control security to a named system event when it is created, preventing other code from taking control of the event.

This constructor initializes an EventWaitHandle object that represents a system event. You can create multiple EventWaitHandle objects that represent the same system event.

If the system event does not exist, it is created with the specified access control security. If the event exists, the specified access control security is ignored.

Note

The caller has full control over the newly created EventWaitHandle object even if eventSecurity denies or fails to grant some access rights to the current user. However, if the current user attempts to get another EventWaitHandle object to represent the same named event, using either a constructor or the OpenExisting method, Windows access control security is applied.

The name may be prefixed with Global\ or Local\ to specify a namespace. When the Global namespace is specified, the synchronization object may be shared with any processes on the system. When the Local namespace is specified, which is also the default when no namespace is specified, the synchronization object may be shared with processes in the same session. On Windows, a session is a login session, and services typically run in a different non-interactive session. On Unix-like operating systems, each shell has its own session. Session-local synchronization objects may be appropriate for synchronizing between processes with a parent/child relationship where they all run in the same session. For more information about synchronization object names on Windows, see Object Names.

If a name is provided and a synchronization object of the requested type already exists in the namespace, the existing synchronization object is opened. If a synchronization object of a different type already exists in the namespace, a WaitHandleCannotBeOpenedException is thrown. Otherwise, a new synchronization object is created.

If a system event with the name specified for the name parameter already exists, the initialState parameter is ignored. After calling this constructor, use the value in the variable specified for the ref parameter (ByRef parameter in Visual Basic) createdNew to determine whether the named system event already existed or was created.

If the initial state of the event is nonsignaled, threads that wait on the event will block. If the initial state is signaled, and the ManualReset flag is specified for mode, threads that wait on the event will not block. If the initial state is signaled, and mode is AutoReset, the first thread that waits on the event will be released immediately, after which the event will reset, and subsequent threads will block.

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 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.

See also

Applies to