Hold an object in the memory for a specific time (C# WinForms application)

Question

Hello,

What is the best way to hold an object in the memory for a limited period of time, then to free it? For example, I have a Dictionary<int, string> and I want to keep it for 10 minutes only, and after then to dispose it.

How to do that?

Thanks.

Answer 1

You cannot dispose dictionaries, only the garbage collector gets rid of them. Setting the dictionary reference to null in a timer's Tick event would get the job done, eventually. Look at the WeakReference class.

Answer 2

you can use the object cache class (framework 4) according ms documentation is defined this way: public abstract class ObjectCache : IEnumerable>, IEnumerable

The class belogs to System.Runtime.Caching. In order to Use it you have inherit it into a concrete implementation.

This object works in the same way the httpcache application works, so you can define lets say a sliding expiration and/also an absolute expiration time as well

Answer 3

1. Use the Caching Application Block:

   • Define the cach object:

   ICacheManager cacheManager;

   • Insert the dictionary to the cache:

   cacheManager = CacheFactory.GetCacheManager(); cacheManager.Add("sampleDictionary", sampleDictionary, CacheItemPriority.Normal, null, new AbsoluteTime(DateTime.Now.AddMinutes(10)));

   • Retreive the dictionary from the cache:

   Dictionary sampleDictionary = cacheManager.GetData("sampleDictionary") as Dictionary;

2. Use ASP.NET Caching:

   • Insert the dictionary to the cache:

   HttpRuntime.Cache.Insert("sampleDictionary", sampleDictionary, null, DateTime.Now.AddMinutes(10), Cache.NoSlidingExpiration);

   • Retreive the dictionary from the cache:

   Dictionary sampleDictionary = HttpRuntime.Cache["sampleDictionary"] as Dictionary;