easily share/access single variable (string) between 2 local running processes

Question

2 local and running applications: App #1 periodically (timer1 @30sec) writes "ping" to a shared/"crossprocess" string. App #2 periodically checks (timer2 @60sec) if shared string == "ping" and overwrites it with "pong". As timer2 > timer1 App #2 will always receive/read the string as "ping". If not then I can certainly assume that App #1 crashed/hangs and restart it.

I know this can be done really easy with Clipboard...

Clipboard.Clear();
Clipboard.SetData("checkthis", "ping");
.
.
.
object clip = Clipboard.GetData("checkthis")
if (clip.ToString() == "ping")
{
    Clipboard.Clear();
    Clipboard.SetData("checkthis", "pong");
}

...but I think it is a really bad idea to use Clipboard as the user can easily mess it up. Is there an other solution as easy to use as Clipboard?

You should use [named pipes](http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb546085(v=vs.110).aspx). — User 12345678, Mar 25 '14 at 23:12

score 0 · Answer 1 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:11

0

I think this thread in SO will help you solve your problem. Good luck!

Static members behavior with multiple instance of application - C#

edited May 23 '17 at 12:11

Community

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answered Mar 25 '14 at 23:20

Sam

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score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 25 '14 at 23:30

0

Memory-mapped files are one approach: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/vstudio/dd997372(v=vs.100).aspx will do the job.

Named Pipes are another.

An ordinary file work, too. Just have each process put a FileSystemWatcher on the file and listen for changes.

answered Mar 25 '14 at 23:30

Nicholas Carey

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MMF are working, thanks. Although the code from MS is always creating an FilNoFoundException, i used: http://www.shujaat.net/2010/12/interprocess-messaging-using-memory.html – Maric Slorat Mar 29 '14 at 10:08

easily share/access single variable (string) between 2 local running processes

2 Answers2