Close() or Dispose(): What's the Best Practice for Stream Object Disposal in C#?

Best Practices for Stream Object Disposal

When working with stream objects such as Stream, StreamReader, and StreamWriter, it is important to consider the appropriate approach for object disposal. Both Close() and Dispose() methods are available, but the semantics and conventions around their usage vary.

Close() vs. Dispose()

Close() Method

The Close() method flushes any buffered data from the stream and releases any system resources it uses. This is a common operation and helps ensure data integrity by forcing immediate write-backs.

Dispose() Method

The Dispose() method follows the IDisposable interface and is intended for managed resource cleanup. It calls the protected Dispose(bool disposing) method, which internally calls Close() and performs additional cleanup tasks such as freeing managed resources.

Implementation in StreamReader and StreamWriter

As per the examined code using Reflector.NET, the Close() methods in StreamReader and StreamWriter internally call Dispose(true). Therefore, calling either method will trigger both flushing and cleanup operations.

Recommended Usage

Based on the understanding of Close() and Dispose(), the recommended best practice is to use both methods as follows:

using (var stream = ...)
{
    // Perform operations on the stream
    stream.Close();
}

This approach combines the advantages of both methods:

• Using statement: Ensures automatic disposal and prevents resource leaks.
• Explicit stream.Close(): Provides visual clarity and emphasizes the flushing of data before disposal.

MSDN Example

The MSDN example referenced in the question uses Close() without using(), which is a valid but outdated approach. The recommended practice described above improves code readability and safety.

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