System.Timers.Timer vs. System.Threading.Timer in Windows Services: Which Timer Should I Choose?

The best timer choice in Windows services

In Windows services, it is a common requirement to perform specific tasks on a regular basis. There are two main timer classes available for this purpose: System.Timers.Timer and System.Threading.Timer. Which timer you choose is critical and requires careful weighing of the pros and cons.

Avoid unnecessary runtime dependencies

When using timers in Windows services, care must be taken to avoid using System.Web.UI.Timer or System.Windows.Forms.Timer. These timers are designed specifically for ASP.NET applications and Windows Forms. Integrating them into a service requires the inclusion of additional assemblies that may be incompatible with the service's runtime environment.

Comparison of the applicability of System.Timers.Timer and System.Threading.Timer

System.Timers.Timer and System.Threading.Timer are both possible solutions for using timers in Windows services. However, there are specific factors that should be considered when choosing.

System.Timers.Timer

To use System.Timers.Timer effectively, the timer must be declared at the class level to ensure that it remains scoped throughout its lifetime. This measure prevents the garbage collection from terminating its operation prematurely.

System.Threading.Timer

System.Threading.Timer has a more complex mechanism. It requires specifying a delegate that encapsulates the desired timer behavior. Additionally, a suitable synchronization mechanism (e.g. AutoResetEvent) may be required to coordinate interaction with the operating system.

Code Example

The following C# code example demonstrates deploying System.Timers.Timer and System.Threading.Timer in a Windows service:

System.Timers.Timer Example

using System;
using System.Timers;

public class ServiceWithTimer
{
    private static System.Timers.Timer _timer;

    public static void Main()
    {
        _timer = new System.Timers.Timer(10000); // 类级别声明定时器
        _timer.Elapsed += OnTimedEvent;
        _timer.Interval = 2000;
        _timer.Enabled = true;

        Console.WriteLine("按任意键停止服务...");
        Console.ReadKey();
    }

    private static void OnTimedEvent(object sender, ElapsedEventArgs e)
    {
        Console.WriteLine("定时器事件在 {0} 触发", e.SignalTime);
    }
}

System.Threading.Timer Example

using System;
using System.Threading;

public class ServiceWithTimer
{
    public static void Main()
    {
        AutoResetEvent autoResetEvent = new AutoResetEvent(false);
        TimerCallback timerCallback = CheckStatus;

        Console.WriteLine("创建定时器...");
        Timer stateTimer = new Timer(timerCallback, autoResetEvent, 1000, 250);

        Console.WriteLine("\n更改周期...");
        stateTimer.Change(0, 500);

        Thread.Sleep(5000);
        stateTimer.Dispose();
        Console.WriteLine("\n销毁定时器。");
    }

    private static void CheckStatus(object stateInfo)
    {
        AutoResetEvent autoResetEvent = (AutoResetEvent)stateInfo;
        Console.WriteLine("检查状态...");
        autoResetEvent.Set();
    }
}

Conclusion

System.Timers.Timer and System.Threading.Timer both provide viable solutions for implementing scheduled tasks in Windows services. The choice between the two depends on the specific requirements of the service and the degree of control over the timer behavior.

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