Set timeout to an operation

c# multithreading timeout
Anwar Chandra picture Anwar Chandra · Feb 15, 2010 · Viewed 77.7k times · Source

I have object obj which is 3rd party component, 

// this could take more than 30 seconds
int result = obj.PerformInitTransaction();

I don't know what is happening inside. What I know is if it take longer time, it is failed.

how to setup a timeout mechanism to this operation, so that if it takes more than 30 seconds I just throw MoreThan30SecondsException ?

Answer

Paolo Tedesco picture Paolo Tedesco · Feb 15, 2010

You could run the operation in a separate thread and then put a timeout on the thread join operation:

using System.Threading;

class Program {
    static void DoSomething() {
        try {
            // your call here...
            obj.PerformInitTransaction();         
        } catch (ThreadAbortException) {
            // cleanup code, if needed...
        }
    }

    public static void Main(params string[] args) {

        Thread t = new Thread(DoSomething);
        t.Start();
        if (!t.Join(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(30))) {
            t.Abort();
            throw new Exception("More than 30 secs.");
        }
    }
}

Related questions

Implement C# Generic Timeout

I am looking for good ideas for implementing a generic way to have a single line (or anonymous delegate) of code execute with a timeout. TemperamentalClass tc = new TemperamentalClass(); tc.DoSomething(); // normally runs in 30 sec. Want to error at 1 min …

Read More
What is the difference between Thread.Sleep(timeout) and ManualResetEvent.Wait(timeout)?

Both Thread.Sleep(timeout) and resetEvent.Wait(timeout) cause execution to pause for at least timeout milliseconds, so is there a difference between them? I know that Thread.Sleep causes the thread to give up the remainder of its time …

Read More
How do I update the GUI from another thread?

Which is the simplest way to update a Label from another Thread? I have a Form running on thread1, and from that I'm starting another thread (thread2). While thread2 is processing some files I would like to update a Label …

Read More