How to Implement a Timer in a C# Console Application?

Building a Timer in Your C# Console Application

This guide demonstrates how to integrate a timer into a C# console application using the System.Threading.Timer class. This class simplifies the process of executing a method repeatedly at set intervals.

Implementation Example:

The following code shows how to create a Timer object, defining its callback method, execution interval (in milliseconds), and an optional state object:

<code class="language-csharp">using System;
using System.Threading;

public class TimerExample
{
    private Timer _timer;

    public void Main(string[] args)
    {
        // Creates a timer that calls TimerCallback every 2 seconds (2000 milliseconds)
        _timer = new Timer(TimerCallback, null, 0, 2000);

        // Keeps the console application running until the user presses Enter
        Console.ReadLine();
    }

    private void TimerCallback(object state)
    {
        // Actions to perform at each timer interval, e.g., updating data or displaying a message
        Console.WriteLine("Timer event triggered at: " + DateTime.Now);
    }
}</code>

Optimizing with GC.KeepAlive()

In situations involving frequent loop execution, unnecessary resource consumption can occur. The GC.KeepAlive() method helps optimize garbage collection, leading to improved memory management.

Enhanced Code:

This updated code incorporates GC.KeepAlive() for better resource handling:

<code class="language-csharp">// ... previous code ...
private static void TimerCallback(Object o) 
{
   GC.KeepAlive(o); // Prevents premature garbage collection of the 'o' object

   // ... rest of the TimerCallback method ...
}</code>

These methods allow for efficient timer integration into your C# console application, enabling scheduled task execution at defined intervals.

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