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How to use Multiple Variables for a lock Scope in C#

Asked 2010-05-20T13:17:03.947
10

I have a situation where a block of code should be executed only if two locker objects are free.

I was hoping there would be something like: 

lock(a,b)
{
    // this scope is in critical region
}

However, there seems to be nothing like that. So does it mean the only way for doing this is:

lock(a)
{
    lock(b)
    {
        // this scope is in critical region
    }
}

Will this even work as expected? Although the code compiles, but I am not sure whether it would achieve what I am expecting it to.

c# multithreading locking critical-section
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1 Answer

11

Requesting the lock on both should work fine. lock(a) will block until a is free. Once you have that lock, lock(b) will block until you have b. After that you have both.

One thing you need to be very careful about here is the order. If you're going to do this make sure you always get the lock on a before getting the lock on b. Otherwise you could very easily find yourself in a deadlock situation.

answered 2010-05-20T13:20:44.910

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