Finalize() Vs Dispose() methods | C#

By: Rajesh P.S.

In C#, both the Finalize() and Dispose() methods are used for resource cleanup in different contexts. Let's examine each method in detail, along with their intended usage and examples:

Finalize() Method

The Finalize() method is part of the Object class and is automatically called by the garbage collector when an object is being prepared for garbage collection. It is a protected method that is primarily used to release unmanaged resources held by an object before it is destroyed.

The Finalize() method follows the finalization process known as the Finalize/Dispose pattern. It is executed by the garbage collector on a separate finalization thread and is non-deterministic, meaning you cannot predict exactly when it will be called. This can lead to resource leaks if unmanaged resources are not properly released.

public class MyClass { ~MyClass() { // Cleanup unmanaged resources } }

In the above example, the ~MyClass() method is the finalizer, which corresponds to the Finalize() method. It is responsible for releasing unmanaged resources when the object is being garbage collected.

Dispose() Method

The Dispose() method is typically used to release both managed and unmanaged resources explicitly. It is part of the IDisposable interface, which is commonly implemented by classes that allocate unmanaged resources or manage limited resources that require explicit cleanup.

The Dispose() method should be called explicitly by the consumer of the object when the resources are no longer needed. It allows for deterministic resource cleanup, unlike the non-deterministic Finalize() method.

public class MyClass : IDisposable { private bool disposed = false; protected virtual void Dispose(bool disposing) { if (!disposed) { if (disposing) { // Cleanup managed resources } // Cleanup unmanaged resources disposed = true; } } public void Dispose() { Dispose(true); GC.SuppressFinalize(this); } }

In the above example, the Dispose() method is implemented explicitly as part of the IDisposable interface. It allows the consumer to explicitly release both managed and unmanaged resources held by the object. The Dispose() method can be called directly or by utilizing the using statement, ensuring that resources are properly cleaned up even if an exception occurs.

Conclusion

Finalize() method: It is used for releasing unmanaged resources and is called by the garbage collector during the finalization process. It follows a non-deterministic cleanup process and should be used when dealing with unmanaged resources.

Dispose() method: It is used for explicit resource cleanup, including managed and unmanaged resources. It should be called explicitly by the consumer of the object when the resources are no longer needed. It allows for deterministic cleanup and is commonly used with the IDisposable interface.

Next > What is an Object Pool in .Net?

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