I have an enumeration that is shared between multiple threads:
public enum Action { Read, Write, None }
Within a class I have a variable of Action type:
public Action _action;
This is a shared variable, that is, it is updated and read from multiple threads.
For example, from one thread I do:
_action = Action.Read
And from another one:
if (_action == Action.Read) { } else if (_action == Action.Write) { } else if (_Action == Action.None) { } else { }
So I would like to use Interlock to update and/or read it from different threads at the same time. How can I do it through a property?
I have seen many posts, for example below one:
How to apply InterLocked.Exchange for Enum Types in C#?
Problem here is that enumeration needs to cast to an int, but I would like to keep enumeration without casting. Is it possible? If so, could you post some example? Also Is it possible to combine volatile with interlock? I mean apply interlock on a volatile enumeration.
In this scenario Interlocked wouldn't be useful. Your series of if/then checks depend on the value of _action remaining unchanged as they all execute. Otherwise _action==Action.Read could be false, but before the next statement executes _action is set to Action.Read and all of the other conditions are false.
You'd want to use lock to ensure that nothing modifies _action while those statements are executing.
So you might have an object for your lock:
private readonly _lockObject = new object();
And then when _action is getting set:
lock(_lockObject) { _action = newValue; }
And when executing your conditions you could just read the value of _action within the lock and then release it. That way the lock is held for the shortest time possible. If _action gets modified while you're executing your conditions you won't be affected because you've created a separate value and you're no longer depending on the value of _action.
Action action; lock(_lockObject) { action = _action } if (action == Action.Read) { } else if (action == Action.Write) { } else if (action == Action.None) { } else { }
