C# Delaying writing to XML

Question

I'm using Filesystemwatcher to pick up a file, convert this to UTF-8 and transfer this to the destination. Now what I want to achieve is I need to delay the xml being written to the destination. i.e. by a mere 15-20secs. I know I can use the following here:

System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(milliseconds);

But if I do this, it would delay the thread completely won't it. What would happen to the filesystemwatcher, would it stop picking up the files. My aim is to delay but don't miss any files that would be changed in the source folder. Here is how I'm doing it for the moment:

var doc = new XmlDocument();
doc.Load(FileName);
XmlWriterSettings settings = new XmlWriterSettings { Encoding = Encoding.UTF8, Indent = true };
using (var writer = XmlWriter.Create(destinationFile, settings))
{
    System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(15000);
    doc.Save(writer);
}

This would stop the thread and delay writing to the xml file which is what I want. But what would happen to the file system watcher then, will it stop as well - as it's part of the same thread.

Delay in a new thread: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/6913589/c-sharp-delaying-a-thread — L-Four, Apr 11 '13 at 09:34
You have to use [Thread](http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa645740(v=vs.71).aspx): create one when `FilesystemWatcher` find new file, start it, forget about it.. in the thread do `Thread.Sleep(15000);` and only then create new file and save it. — Sinatr, Apr 11 '13 at 09:34
`Task.Delay(15000).ContinueWith(_ => doc.Save(writer));` ??? — I4V, Apr 11 '13 at 09:39
@I4V: Should this only delay the saving of the file and not the filesystemwatcher — user726720, Apr 11 '13 at 09:41
@user726720 and it does so. Put `Task.Delay(5000).ContinueWith(_ => MessageBox.Show("aaa"));` to form_load and see how it works.. — I4V, Apr 11 '13 at 09:42
@I4V: It says 'Task' doesnot exist in the current context. What namespace assembly is this using — user726720, Apr 11 '13 at 09:47
@I4V: SOrry mate, I'm just new to this assembly. I have put that, and now it say: 'System.Threading.Tasks.Task' does not contain a definition for 'Delay' — user726720, Apr 11 '13 at 09:51
Delay is available in .Net 4.5 if use use a lower version, you can use the `Delay` method [here](http://stackoverflow.com/a/13058866/932418) — I4V, Apr 11 '13 at 09:53
What do you mean? What version are you using? You need 4.5 to use it. — L-Four, Apr 11 '13 at 09:55
I guess that doesn't support Windows Xp, so maybe not an option for me but +1 for the answer and I will keep that in mind when I upgrade to windows 7 — user726720, Apr 11 '13 at 10:03

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 11 '13 at 10:39

You can use System.Threading.Timer class

var doc = new XmlDocument();
doc.Load(FileName);
XmlWriterSettings settings = new XmlWriterSettings { Encoding = Encoding.UTF8, Indent = true };

new System.Threading.Timer((_) =>
    {
        using (var writer = XmlWriter.Create(destinationFile, settings))
        {
            doc.Save(writer);
        }
    })
.Change(15000, -1);

06needhamt · Answer 2 · 2013-04-11T09:51:37.143

create a thread for the stuff you want to delay and a separate thread for the stuff you don't want to delay

Edit Try this

System.Threading.Thread newThread;
newThread = new System.Threading.Thread(anObject.AMethod); // one to delay

System.Threading.Thread newThread2;
newThread2 = new System.Threading.Thread(anObject.AMethod); //one not to delay

Then add the Threadname.Start(); to the start of the procedure that you want to delay, and the other on the one that you don't want to delay. Then delay the one you want to delay using

System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(milliseconds);

like you did before

Hope this helps

Thanks buddy can you please provide me a short example of your idea — user726720, Apr 11 '13 at 09:40

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 11 '13 at 10:15

0

What about using a BlockingCollection?
It is available on 4.0.
The Filesystemwatcher is the producer and the consumer is the xmlwrite.
You can sleep in the consumer and not effect the producer.

BlockingCollection Class

answered Apr 11 '13 at 10:15

paparazzo

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C# Delaying writing to XML

3 Answers3