How to Safely Update an ObservableCollection from a Worker Thread in .NET?

Updating ObservableCollection from Background Threads in .NET

The Challenge

Directly modifying an ObservableCollection from a worker thread in .NET often leads to exceptions. This is because ObservableCollection isn't thread-safe; multiple threads accessing it simultaneously can cause unpredictable behavior.

Solution for .NET 4.5 and Later

.NET 4.5 and later versions offer a convenient solution using BindingOperations.EnableCollectionSynchronization. This method simplifies thread synchronization for UI updates:

BindingOperations.EnableCollectionSynchronization(myCollection);

This single line achieves:

• Thread Association: Links the ObservableCollection ( myCollection ) to the UI thread, ensuring that CollectionChanged events are processed on the UI thread.
• Synchronization: Implements locking during event handling, preventing conflicts between background thread modifications and UI thread access.

Maintaining Thread Safety

While BindingOperations.EnableCollectionSynchronization handles UI thread synchronization, remember that ObservableCollection remains inherently not thread-safe. For robust thread safety, always use a lock when directly modifying the collection from background threads:

<code class="language-csharp">lock (myCollection)
{
    // Modify myCollection here (e.g., Add, Remove, etc.)
}</code>

By combining BindingOperations.EnableCollectionSynchronization with appropriate locking, you can safely and efficiently update your ObservableCollection from worker threads without compromising UI thread integrity.

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