System.Threading.Timer vs System.Threading.Thread.Sleep resolution - .NET Timer not using system clock resolution

Question

Questions: Why is the System.Threading.Timer keeping the 15ms resolution despite the OS clock resolution is much more precise? What is the reco

Answer 1

Use one of the synchronisation classes that derives from WaitHandle, such as AutoResetEvent or ManualResetEvent, setting the timeout parameter when you call the WaitOne() method.

By calling WaitOne in a loop, you can implement a timer.

You can signal the wait handle derived class to break out of or interrupt the timer.

Note, to change the resolution, you are best off using a helper class that implements IDisposable:

internal sealed class TimePeriod : IDisposable
{
    private const string WINMM = "winmm.dll";

    private static TIMECAPS timeCapabilities;

    private static int inTimePeriod;

    private readonly int period;

    private int disposed;

    [DllImport(WINMM, ExactSpelling = true)]
    private static extern int timeGetDevCaps(ref TIMECAPS ptc, int cbtc);

    [DllImport(WINMM, ExactSpelling = true)]
    private static extern int timeBeginPeriod(int uPeriod);

    [DllImport(WINMM, ExactSpelling = true)]
    private static extern int timeEndPeriod(int uPeriod);

    static TimePeriod()
    {
        int result = timeGetDevCaps(ref timeCapabilities, Marshal.SizeOf(typeof(TIMECAPS)));
        if (result != 0)
        {
            throw new InvalidOperationException("The request to get time capabilities was not completed because an unexpected error with code " + result + " occured.");
        }
    }

    internal TimePeriod(int period)
    {
        if (Interlocked.Increment(ref inTimePeriod) != 1)
        {
            Interlocked.Decrement(ref inTimePeriod);
            throw new NotSupportedException("The process is already within a time period. Nested time periods are not supported.");
        }

        if (period < timeCapabilities.wPeriodMin || period > timeCapabilities.wPeriodMax)
        {
            throw new ArgumentOutOfRangeException("period", "The request to begin a time period was not completed because the resolution specified is out of range.");
        }

        int result = timeBeginPeriod(period);
        if (result != 0)
        {
            throw new InvalidOperationException("The request to begin a time period was not completed because an unexpected error with code " + result + " occured.");
        }

        this.period = period;
    }

    internal static int MinimumPeriod
    {
        get
        {
            return timeCapabilities.wPeriodMin;
        }
    }

    internal static int MaximumPeriod
    {
        get
        {
            return timeCapabilities.wPeriodMax;
        }
    }

    internal int Period
    {
        get
        {
            if (this.disposed > 0)
            {
                throw new ObjectDisposedException("The time period instance has been disposed.");
            }

            return this.period;
        }
    }

    public void Dispose()
    {
        if (Interlocked.Increment(ref this.disposed) == 1)
        {
            timeEndPeriod(this.period);
            Interlocked.Decrement(ref inTimePeriod);
        }
        else
        {
            Interlocked.Decrement(ref this.disposed);
        }
    }

    [StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
    private struct TIMECAPS
    {
        internal int wPeriodMin;

        internal int wPeriodMax;
    }
}

You can then use:

using (new TimePeriod(1))
{
    ////...
}

Nick