Advanced C#: Thread-Safe Data with Concurrent Collections

Learn how to work with the thread-safe concurrent collections to share data across threads and build scalable applications.

Introduction

• Thread-safe data with concurrent collections
• What you should know
• How to access the sample code on GitHub

1. Defining the Problem

• Collections and threads
• Use Queue with single thread
• Use Queue with multiple threads
• Debug the Queue multiple-thread problem

2. Deconstruct the .NET Queue Class

• Re-implement the sample with custom class
• Examine the ExampleQueue code

3. Using Thread-Safe Code with Standard Collections

• Rewrite the code to support thread locks
• Use a lock statement and mutex to make thread-safe
• Why locking is not a good solution
• How the concurrent collections are better

4. Overview of Thread-Safe Collections

• Compare standard and concurrent collections
• Categories of collections

5. Work with the ConcurrentDictionary Class

• Create a dictionary
• Use TryAdd to add an item
• Use TryRemove to remove an item
• The GetOrAdd method to get or add an item

6. Updating Data in ConcurrentDictionary

• Review the updated example application
• Potential problems with updating an item
• Use TryUpdate to update dictionary value
• Use a while loop with TryUpdate
• Use the AddOrUpdate method
• Why ICollection and other interfaces are not thread-safe
• Inspect your APIs for ICollection usage

7. Work with the Producer-Consumer Collections

• Overview of the producer-consumer collections
• Work with ConcurrentQueue
• Work with the ConcurrentStack
• Work with the ConcurrentBag

8. Using the BlockingCollection

• Understand the BlockingCollection
• Use the BlockingCollection with ConcurrentQueue
• Use the CompleteAdding method
• Use other collections with BlockingCollection
• Read items with multiple consumers
• Create items with multiple producers

Continuing Your Journey

• Next steps