Semaphore Constructors

Definition

Namespace:

System.Threading

Assembly:

System.Threading.dll

Initializes a new instance of the Semaphore class.

Overloads

Semaphore(Int32, Int32)	Initializes a new instance of the Semaphore class, specifying the initial number of entries and the maximum number of concurrent entries.
Semaphore(Int32, Int32, String)	Initializes a new instance of the Semaphore class, specifying the initial number of entries and the maximum number of concurrent entries, and optionally specifying the name of a system semaphore object.
Semaphore(Int32, Int32, String, Boolean)	Initializes a new instance of the Semaphore class, specifying the initial number of entries and the maximum number of concurrent entries, optionally specifying the name of a system semaphore object, and specifying a variable that receives a value indicating whether a new system semaphore was created.

Semaphore(Int32, Int32)

Source:

Semaphore.cs

Initializes a new instance of the Semaphore class, specifying the initial number of entries and the maximum number of concurrent entries.

public:
 Semaphore(int initialCount, int maximumCount);

public Semaphore (int initialCount, int maximumCount);

new System.Threading.Semaphore : int * int -> System.Threading.Semaphore

Public Sub New (initialCount As Integer, maximumCount As Integer)

Parameters

initialCount

Int32

The initial number of requests for the semaphore that can be granted concurrently.

maximumCount

Int32

The maximum number of requests for the semaphore that can be granted concurrently.

Exceptions

ArgumentException

initialCount is greater than maximumCount.

ArgumentOutOfRangeException

maximumCount is less than 1.

-or-

initialCount is less than 0.

Examples

The following example creates a semaphore with a maximum count of three and an initial count of zero. The example starts five threads, which block waiting for the semaphore. The main thread uses the Release(Int32) method overload to increase the semaphore count to its maximum, allowing three threads to enter the semaphore. Each thread uses the Thread.Sleep method to wait for one second, to simulate work, and then calls the Release() method overload to release the semaphore. Each time the semaphore is released, the previous semaphore count is displayed. Console messages track semaphore use. The simulated work interval is increased slightly for each thread, to make the output easier to read.

#using <System.dll>
using namespace System;
using namespace System::Threading;

public ref class Example
{
private:
   // A semaphore that simulates a limited resource pool.
   //
   static Semaphore^ _pool;

   // A padding interval to make the output more orderly.
   static int _padding;

public:
   static void Main()
   {
      // Create a semaphore that can satisfy up to three
      // concurrent requests. Use an initial count of zero,
      // so that the entire semaphore count is initially
      // owned by the main program thread.
      //
      _pool = gcnew Semaphore( 0,3 );
      
      // Create and start five numbered threads.
      //
      for ( int i = 1; i <= 5; i++ )
      {
         Thread^ t = gcnew Thread(
            gcnew ParameterizedThreadStart( Worker ) );
         
         // Start the thread, passing the number.
         //
         t->Start( i );
      }
      
      // Wait for half a second, to allow all the
      // threads to start and to block on the semaphore.
      //
      Thread::Sleep( 500 );
      
      // The main thread starts out holding the entire
      // semaphore count. Calling Release(3) brings the
      // semaphore count back to its maximum value, and
      // allows the waiting threads to enter the semaphore,
      // up to three at a time.
      //
      Console::WriteLine( L"Main thread calls Release(3)." );
      _pool->Release( 3 );

      Console::WriteLine( L"Main thread exits." );
   }

private:
   static void Worker( Object^ num )
   {
      // Each worker thread begins by requesting the
      // semaphore.
      Console::WriteLine( L"Thread {0} begins and waits for the semaphore.", num );
      _pool->WaitOne();
      
      // A padding interval to make the output more orderly.
      int padding = Interlocked::Add( _padding, 100 );

      Console::WriteLine( L"Thread {0} enters the semaphore.", num );
      
      // The thread's "work" consists of sleeping for
      // about a second. Each thread "works" a little
      // longer, just to make the output more orderly.
      //
      Thread::Sleep( 1000 + padding );

      Console::WriteLine( L"Thread {0} releases the semaphore.", num );
      Console::WriteLine( L"Thread {0} previous semaphore count: {1}",
         num, _pool->Release() );
   }
};

using System;
using System.Threading;

public class Example
{
    // A semaphore that simulates a limited resource pool.
    //
    private static Semaphore _pool;

    // A padding interval to make the output more orderly.
    private static int _padding;

    public static void Main()
    {
        // Create a semaphore that can satisfy up to three
        // concurrent requests. Use an initial count of zero,
        // so that the entire semaphore count is initially
        // owned by the main program thread.
        //
        _pool = new Semaphore(initialCount: 0, maximumCount: 3);

        // Create and start five numbered threads. 
        //
        for(int i = 1; i <= 5; i++)
        {
            Thread t = new Thread(new ParameterizedThreadStart(Worker));

            // Start the thread, passing the number.
            //
            t.Start(i);
        }

        // Wait for half a second, to allow all the
        // threads to start and to block on the semaphore.
        //
        Thread.Sleep(500);

        // The main thread starts out holding the entire
        // semaphore count. Calling Release(3) brings the 
        // semaphore count back to its maximum value, and
        // allows the waiting threads to enter the semaphore,
        // up to three at a time.
        //
        Console.WriteLine("Main thread calls Release(3).");
        _pool.Release(releaseCount: 3);

        Console.WriteLine("Main thread exits.");
    }

    private static void Worker(object num)
    {
        // Each worker thread begins by requesting the
        // semaphore.
        Console.WriteLine("Thread {0} begins " +
            "and waits for the semaphore.", num);
        _pool.WaitOne();

        // A padding interval to make the output more orderly.
        int padding = Interlocked.Add(ref _padding, 100);

        Console.WriteLine("Thread {0} enters the semaphore.", num);
        
        // The thread's "work" consists of sleeping for 
        // about a second. Each thread "works" a little 
        // longer, just to make the output more orderly.
        //
        Thread.Sleep(1000 + padding);

        Console.WriteLine("Thread {0} releases the semaphore.", num);
        Console.WriteLine("Thread {0} previous semaphore count: {1}",
            num, _pool.Release());
    }
}

Imports System.Threading

Public Class Example

    ' A semaphore that simulates a limited resource pool.
    '
    Private Shared _pool As Semaphore

    ' A padding interval to make the output more orderly.
    Private Shared _padding As Integer

    <MTAThread> _
    Public Shared Sub Main()
        ' Create a semaphore that can satisfy up to three
        ' concurrent requests. Use an initial count of zero,
        ' so that the entire semaphore count is initially
        ' owned by the main program thread.
        '
        _pool = New Semaphore(0, 3)

        ' Create and start five numbered threads. 
        '
        For i As Integer = 1 To 5
            Dim t As New Thread(New ParameterizedThreadStart(AddressOf Worker))
            'Dim t As New Thread(AddressOf Worker)

            ' Start the thread, passing the number.
            '
            t.Start(i)
        Next i

        ' Wait for half a second, to allow all the
        ' threads to start and to block on the semaphore.
        '
        Thread.Sleep(500)

        ' The main thread starts out holding the entire
        ' semaphore count. Calling Release(3) brings the 
        ' semaphore count back to its maximum value, and
        ' allows the waiting threads to enter the semaphore,
        ' up to three at a time.
        '
        Console.WriteLine("Main thread calls Release(3).")
        _pool.Release(3)

        Console.WriteLine("Main thread exits.")
    End Sub

    Private Shared Sub Worker(ByVal num As Object)
        ' Each worker thread begins by requesting the
        ' semaphore.
        Console.WriteLine("Thread {0} begins " _
            & "and waits for the semaphore.", num)
        _pool.WaitOne()

        ' A padding interval to make the output more orderly.
        Dim padding As Integer = Interlocked.Add(_padding, 100)

        Console.WriteLine("Thread {0} enters the semaphore.", num)
        
        ' The thread's "work" consists of sleeping for 
        ' about a second. Each thread "works" a little 
        ' longer, just to make the output more orderly.
        '
        Thread.Sleep(1000 + padding)

        Console.WriteLine("Thread {0} releases the semaphore.", num)
        Console.WriteLine("Thread {0} previous semaphore count: {1}", _
            num, _
            _pool.Release())
    End Sub
End Class

Remarks

This constructor initializes an unnamed semaphore. All threads that use an instance of such a semaphore must have references to the instance.

If initialCount is less than maximumCount, the effect is the same as if the current thread had called WaitOne (maximumCount minus initialCount) times. If you do not want to reserve any entries for the thread that creates the semaphore, use the same number for maximumCount and initialCount.

See also

• Managed Threading
• Semaphore

Semaphore(Int32, Int32, String)

Source:

Semaphore.cs

Initializes a new instance of the Semaphore class, specifying the initial number of entries and the maximum number of concurrent entries, and optionally specifying the name of a system semaphore object.

public:
 Semaphore(int initialCount, int maximumCount, System::String ^ name);

public Semaphore (int initialCount, int maximumCount, string? name);

new System.Threading.Semaphore : int * int * string -> System.Threading.Semaphore

Public Sub New (initialCount As Integer, maximumCount As Integer, name As String)

Parameters

initialCount

Int32

The initial number of requests for the semaphore that can be granted concurrently.

maximumCount

Int32

The maximum number of requests for the semaphore that can be granted concurrently.

name

String

The name, if the synchronization object is to be shared with other processes; otherwise, null or an empty string. The name is case-sensitive. The backslash character (\) is reserved and may only be used to specify a namespace. For more information on namespaces, see the remarks section. There may be further restrictions on the name depending on the operating system. For example, on Unix-based operating systems, the name after excluding the namespace must be a valid file name.

Exceptions

ArgumentException

initialCount is greater than maximumCount.

-or-

.NET Framework only: name is longer than MAX_PATH (260 characters).

ArgumentOutOfRangeException

maximumCount is less than 1.

-or-

initialCount is less than 0.

IOException

name is invalid. This can be for various reasons, including some restrictions that may be placed by the operating system, such as an unknown prefix or invalid characters. Note that the name and common prefixes "Global\" and "Local\" are case-sensitive.

-or-

There was some other error. The HResult property may provide more information.

DirectoryNotFoundException

Windows only: name specified an unknown namespace. See Object Names for more information.

PathTooLongException

The name is too long. Length restrictions may depend on the operating system or configuration.

UnauthorizedAccessException

The named semaphore exists and has access control security, and the user does not have FullControl.

WaitHandleCannotBeOpenedException

A synchronization object with the provided name cannot be created. A synchronization object of a different type might have the same name.

Examples

The following code example demonstrates the cross-process behavior of a named semaphore. The example creates a named semaphore with a maximum count of five and an initial count of five. The program makes three calls to the WaitOne method. Thus, if you run the compiled example from two command windows, the second copy will block on the third call to WaitOne. Release one or more entries in the first copy of the program to unblock the second.

#using <System.dll>
using namespace System;
using namespace System::Threading;

public ref class Example
{
public:
   static void main()
   {
      // Create a Semaphore object that represents the named
      // system semaphore "SemaphoreExample3". The semaphore has a
      // maximum count of five. The initial count is also five.
      // There is no point in using a smaller initial count,
      // because the initial count is not used if this program
      // doesn't create the named system semaphore, and with
      // this method overload there is no way to tell. Thus, this
      // program assumes that it is competing with other
      // programs for the semaphore.
      //
      Semaphore^ sem = gcnew Semaphore( 5,5,L"SemaphoreExample3" );
      
      // Attempt to enter the semaphore three times. If another
      // copy of this program is already running, only the first
      // two requests can be satisfied. The third blocks. Note
      // that in a real application, timeouts should be used
      // on the WaitOne calls, to avoid deadlocks.
      //
      sem->WaitOne();
      Console::WriteLine( L"Entered the semaphore once." );
      sem->WaitOne();
      Console::WriteLine( L"Entered the semaphore twice." );
      sem->WaitOne();
      Console::WriteLine( L"Entered the semaphore three times." );
      
      // The thread executing this program has entered the
      // semaphore three times. If a second copy of the program
      // is run, it will block until this program releases the
      // semaphore at least once.
      //
      Console::WriteLine( L"Enter the number of times to call Release." );
      int n;
      if ( Int32::TryParse( Console::ReadLine(),n ) )
      {
         sem->Release( n );
      }

      int remaining = 3 - n;
      if ( remaining > 0 )
      {
         Console::WriteLine( L"Press Enter to release the remaining "
         L"count ({0}) and exit the program.", remaining );
         Console::ReadLine();
         sem->Release( remaining );
      }
   }
};

using System;
using System.Threading;

public class Example
{
    public static void Main()
    {
        // Create a Semaphore object that represents the named 
        // system semaphore "SemaphoreExample3". The semaphore has a
        // maximum count of five. The initial count is also five. 
        // There is no point in using a smaller initial count,
        // because the initial count is not used if this program
        // doesn't create the named system semaphore, and with 
        // this method overload there is no way to tell. Thus, this
        // program assumes that it is competing with other
        // programs for the semaphore.
        //
        Semaphore sem = new Semaphore(5, 5, "SemaphoreExample3");

        // Attempt to enter the semaphore three times. If another 
        // copy of this program is already running, only the first
        // two requests can be satisfied. The third blocks. Note 
        // that in a real application, timeouts should be used
        // on the WaitOne calls, to avoid deadlocks.
        //
        sem.WaitOne();
        Console.WriteLine("Entered the semaphore once.");
        sem.WaitOne();
        Console.WriteLine("Entered the semaphore twice.");
        sem.WaitOne();
        Console.WriteLine("Entered the semaphore three times.");

        // The thread executing this program has entered the 
        // semaphore three times. If a second copy of the program
        // is run, it will block until this program releases the 
        // semaphore at least once.
        //
        Console.WriteLine("Enter the number of times to call Release.");
        int n;
        if (int.TryParse(Console.ReadLine(), out n))
        {
            sem.Release(n);
        }

        int remaining = 3 - n;
        if (remaining > 0)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Press Enter to release the remaining " +
                "count ({0}) and exit the program.", remaining);
            Console.ReadLine();
            sem.Release(remaining);
        }
    }
}

Imports System.Threading

Public Class Example

    <MTAThread> _
    Public Shared Sub Main()
        ' Create a Semaphore object that represents the named 
        ' system semaphore "SemaphoreExample3". The semaphore has a
        ' maximum count of five. The initial count is also five. 
        ' There is no point in using a smaller initial count,
        ' because the initial count is not used if this program
        ' doesn't create the named system semaphore, and with 
        ' this method overload there is no way to tell. Thus, this
        ' program assumes that it is competing with other
        ' programs for the semaphore.
        '
        Dim sem As New Semaphore(5, 5, "SemaphoreExample3")

        ' Attempt to enter the semaphore three times. If another 
        ' copy of this program is already running, only the first
        ' two requests can be satisfied. The third blocks. Note 
        ' that in a real application, timeouts should be used
        ' on the WaitOne calls, to avoid deadlocks.
        '
        sem.WaitOne()
        Console.WriteLine("Entered the semaphore once.")
        sem.WaitOne()
        Console.WriteLine("Entered the semaphore twice.")
        sem.WaitOne()
        Console.WriteLine("Entered the semaphore three times.")

        ' The thread executing this program has entered the 
        ' semaphore three times. If a second copy of the program
        ' is run, it will block until this program releases the 
        ' semaphore at least once.
        '
        Console.WriteLine("Enter the number of times to call Release.")
        Dim n As Integer
        If Integer.TryParse(Console.ReadLine(), n) Then
            sem.Release(n)
        End If

        Dim remaining As Integer = 3 - n
        If (remaining) > 0 Then
            Console.WriteLine("Press Enter to release the remaining " _
                & "count ({0}) and exit the program.", remaining)
            Console.ReadLine()
            sem.Release(remaining)
        End If

    End Sub 
End Class

Remarks

This constructor initializes a Semaphore object that represents a named system semaphore. You can create multiple Semaphore objects that represent the same named system semaphore.

The name may be prefixed with Global\ or Local\ to specify a namespace. When the Global namespace is specified, the synchronization object may be shared with any processes on the system. When the Local namespace is specified, which is also the default when no namespace is specified, the synchronization object may be shared with processes in the same session. On Windows, a session is a login session, and services typically run in a different non-interactive session. On Unix-like operating systems, each shell has its own session. Session-local synchronization objects may be appropriate for synchronizing between processes with a parent/child relationship where they all run in the same session. For more information about synchronization object names on Windows, see Object Names.

If a name is provided and a synchronization object of the requested type already exists in the namespace, the existing synchronization object is used. If a synchronization object of a different type already exists in the namespace, a WaitHandleCannotBeOpenedException is thrown. Otherwise, a new synchronization object is created.

If the named system semaphore does not exist, it is created with the initial count and maximum count specified by initialCount and maximumCount. If the named system semaphore already exists, initialCount and maximumCount are not used, although invalid values still cause exceptions. If you need to determine whether or not a named system semaphore was created, use the Semaphore(Int32, Int32, String, Boolean) constructor overload instead.

Important

When you use this constructor overload, the recommended practice is to specify the same number for initialCount and maximumCount. If initialCount is less than maximumCount, and a named system semaphore is created, the effect is the same as if the current thread had called WaitOne (maximumCount minus initialCount) times. However, with this constructor overload there is no way to determine whether a named system semaphore was created.

If you specify null or an empty string for name, a local semaphore is created, as if you had called the Semaphore(Int32, Int32) constructor overload.

Because named semaphores are visible throughout the operating system, they can be used to coordinate resource use across process boundaries.

If you want to find out whether a named system semaphore exists, use the OpenExisting method. The OpenExisting method attempts to open an existing named semaphore, and throws an exception if the system semaphore does not exist.

Caution

By default, a named semaphore is not restricted to the user that created it. Other users may be able to open and use the semaphore, including interfering with the semaphore by acquiring the semaphore multiple times and not releasing it. To restrict access to specific users, you can use a constructor overload or SemaphoreAcl and pass in a SemaphoreSecurity when creating the named semaphore. Avoid using named semaphores without access restrictions on systems that might have untrusted users running code.

See also

• Managed Threading
• Semaphore

Semaphore(Int32, Int32, String, Boolean)

Source:

Semaphore.cs

Initializes a new instance of the Semaphore class, specifying the initial number of entries and the maximum number of concurrent entries, optionally specifying the name of a system semaphore object, and specifying a variable that receives a value indicating whether a new system semaphore was created.

public:
 Semaphore(int initialCount, int maximumCount, System::String ^ name, [Runtime::InteropServices::Out] bool % createdNew);

public Semaphore (int initialCount, int maximumCount, string? name, out bool createdNew);

new System.Threading.Semaphore : int * int * string * bool -> System.Threading.Semaphore

Public Sub New (initialCount As Integer, maximumCount As Integer, name As String, ByRef createdNew As Boolean)

Parameters

initialCount

Int32

The initial number of requests for the semaphore that can be satisfied concurrently.

maximumCount

Int32

The maximum number of requests for the semaphore that can be satisfied concurrently.

name

String

The name, if the synchronization object is to be shared with other processes; otherwise, null or an empty string. The name is case-sensitive. The backslash character (\) is reserved and may only be used to specify a namespace. For more information on namespaces, see the remarks section. There may be further restrictions on the name depending on the operating system. For example, on Unix-based operating systems, the name after excluding the namespace must be a valid file name.

createdNew

Boolean

When this method returns, contains true if a local semaphore was created (that is, if name is null or an empty string) or if the specified named system semaphore was created; false if the specified named system semaphore already existed. This parameter is passed uninitialized.

Exceptions

ArgumentException

initialCount is greater than maximumCount.

-or-

.NET Framework only: name is longer than MAX_PATH (260 characters).

ArgumentOutOfRangeException

maximumCount is less than 1.

-or-

initialCount is less than 0.

IOException

name is invalid. This can be for various reasons, including some restrictions that may be placed by the operating system, such as an unknown prefix or invalid characters. Note that the name and common prefixes "Global\" and "Local\" are case-sensitive.

-or-

There was some other error. The HResult property may provide more information.

DirectoryNotFoundException

Windows only: name specified an unknown namespace. See Object Names for more information.

PathTooLongException

The name is too long. Length restrictions may depend on the operating system or configuration.

UnauthorizedAccessException

The named semaphore exists and has access control security, and the user does not have FullControl.

WaitHandleCannotBeOpenedException

A synchronization object with the provided name cannot be created. A synchronization object of a different type might have the same name.

Examples

The following code example demonstrates the cross-process behavior of a named semaphore. The example creates a named semaphore with a maximum count of five and an initial count of two. That is, it reserves three entries for the thread that calls the constructor. If createNew is false, the program makes three calls to the WaitOne method. Thus, if you run the compiled example from two command windows, the second copy will block on the third call to WaitOne. Release one or more entries in the first copy of the program to unblock the second.

#using <System.dll>
using namespace System;
using namespace System::Threading;

public ref class Example
{
public:
   static void main()
   {
      // The value of this variable is set by the semaphore
      // constructor. It is true if the named system semaphore was
      // created, and false if the named semaphore already existed.
      //
      bool semaphoreWasCreated;
      
      // Create a Semaphore object that represents the named
      // system semaphore "SemaphoreExample". The semaphore has a
      // maximum count of five, and an initial count of two. The
      // Boolean value that indicates creation of the underlying
      // system object is placed in semaphoreWasCreated.
      //
      Semaphore^ sem = gcnew Semaphore( 2,5,L"SemaphoreExample",
         semaphoreWasCreated );
      if ( semaphoreWasCreated )
      {
         // If the named system semaphore was created, its count is
         // set to the initial count requested in the constructor.
         // In effect, the current thread has entered the semaphore
         // three times.
         //
         Console::WriteLine( L"Entered the semaphore three times." );
      }
      else
      {
         // If the named system semaphore was not created,
         // attempt to enter it three times. If another copy of
         // this program is already running, only the first two
         // requests can be satisfied. The third blocks.
         //
         sem->WaitOne();
         Console::WriteLine( L"Entered the semaphore once." );
         sem->WaitOne();
         Console::WriteLine( L"Entered the semaphore twice." );
         sem->WaitOne();
         Console::WriteLine( L"Entered the semaphore three times." );
      }
      
      // The thread executing this program has entered the
      // semaphore three times. If a second copy of the program
      // is run, it will block until this program releases the
      // semaphore at least once.
      //
      Console::WriteLine( L"Enter the number of times to call Release." );
      int n;
      if ( Int32::TryParse( Console::ReadLine(), n ) )
      {
         sem->Release( n );
      }

      int remaining = 3 - n;
      if ( remaining > 0 )
      {
         Console::WriteLine( L"Press Enter to release the remaining "
         L"count ({0}) and exit the program.", remaining );
         Console::ReadLine();
         sem->Release( remaining );
      }
   }
};

using System;
using System.Threading;

public class Example
{
    public static void Main()
    {
        // The value of this variable is set by the semaphore
        // constructor. It is true if the named system semaphore was
        // created, and false if the named semaphore already existed.
        //
        bool semaphoreWasCreated;

        // Create a Semaphore object that represents the named 
        // system semaphore "SemaphoreExample". The semaphore has a
        // maximum count of five, and an initial count of two. The
        // Boolean value that indicates creation of the underlying 
        // system object is placed in semaphoreWasCreated.
        //
        Semaphore sem = new Semaphore(2, 5, "SemaphoreExample", 
            out semaphoreWasCreated);

        if (semaphoreWasCreated)
        {
            // If the named system semaphore was created, its count is
            // set to the initial count requested in the constructor.
            // In effect, the current thread has entered the semaphore
            // three times.
            // 
            Console.WriteLine("Entered the semaphore three times.");
        }
        else
        {      
            // If the named system semaphore was not created,  
            // attempt to enter it three times. If another copy of
            // this program is already running, only the first two
            // requests can be satisfied. The third blocks.
            //
            sem.WaitOne();
            Console.WriteLine("Entered the semaphore once.");
            sem.WaitOne();
            Console.WriteLine("Entered the semaphore twice.");
            sem.WaitOne();
            Console.WriteLine("Entered the semaphore three times.");
        }

        // The thread executing this program has entered the 
        // semaphore three times. If a second copy of the program
        // is run, it will block until this program releases the 
        // semaphore at least once.
        //
        Console.WriteLine("Enter the number of times to call Release.");
        int n;
        if (int.TryParse(Console.ReadLine(), out n))
        {
            sem.Release(n);
        }

        int remaining = 3 - n;
        if (remaining > 0)
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Press Enter to release the remaining " +
                "count ({0}) and exit the program.", remaining);
            Console.ReadLine();
            sem.Release(remaining);
        }
    } 
}

Imports System.Threading

Public Class Example

    <MTAThread> _
    Public Shared Sub Main()
        ' The value of this variable is set by the semaphore
        ' constructor. It is True if the named system semaphore was
        ' created, and False if the named semaphore already existed.
        '
        Dim semaphoreWasCreated As Boolean

        ' Create a Semaphore object that represents the named 
        ' system semaphore "SemaphoreExample". The semaphore has a
        ' maximum count of five, and an initial count of two. The
        ' Boolean value that indicates creation of the underlying 
        ' system object is placed in semaphoreWasCreated.
        '
        Dim sem As New Semaphore(2, 5, "SemaphoreExample", _
            semaphoreWasCreated)

        If semaphoreWasCreated Then
            ' If the named system semaphore was created, its count is
            ' set to the initial count requested in the constructor.
            ' In effect, the current thread has entered the semaphore
            ' three times.
            ' 
            Console.WriteLine("Entered the semaphore three times.")
        Else
            ' If the named system semaphore was not created,  
            ' attempt to enter it three times. If another copy of
            ' this program is already running, only the first two
            ' requests can be satisfied. The third blocks.
            '
            sem.WaitOne()
            Console.WriteLine("Entered the semaphore once.")
            sem.WaitOne()
            Console.WriteLine("Entered the semaphore twice.")
            sem.WaitOne()
            Console.WriteLine("Entered the semaphore three times.")
        End If

        ' The thread executing this program has entered the 
        ' semaphore three times. If a second copy of the program
        ' is run, it will block until this program releases the 
        ' semaphore at least once.
        '
        Console.WriteLine("Enter the number of times to call Release.")
        Dim n As Integer
        If Integer.TryParse(Console.ReadLine(), n) Then
            sem.Release(n)
        End If

        Dim remaining As Integer = 3 - n
        If (remaining) > 0 Then
            Console.WriteLine("Press Enter to release the remaining " _
                & "count ({0}) and exit the program.", remaining)
            Console.ReadLine()
            sem.Release(remaining)
        End If

    End Sub 
End Class

Remarks

The name may be prefixed with Global\ or Local\ to specify a namespace. When the Global namespace is specified, the synchronization object may be shared with any processes on the system. When the Local namespace is specified, which is also the default when no namespace is specified, the synchronization object may be shared with processes in the same session. On Windows, a session is a login session, and services typically run in a different non-interactive session. On Unix-like operating systems, each shell has its own session. Session-local synchronization objects may be appropriate for synchronizing between processes with a parent/child relationship where they all run in the same session. For more information about synchronization object names on Windows, see Object Names.

If a name is provided and a synchronization object of the requested type already exists in the namespace, the existing synchronization object is used. If a synchronization object of a different type already exists in the namespace, a WaitHandleCannotBeOpenedException is thrown. Otherwise, a new synchronization object is created.

This constructor initializes a Semaphore object that represents a named system semaphore. You can create multiple Semaphore objects that represent the same named system semaphore.

If the named system semaphore does not exist, it is created with the initial count and maximum count specified by initialCount and maximumCount. If the named system semaphore already exists, initialCount and maximumCount are not used, although invalid values still cause exceptions. Use createdNew to determine whether the system semaphore was created.

If initialCount is less than maximumCount, and createdNew is true, the effect is the same as if the current thread had called WaitOne (maximumCount minus initialCount) times.

If you specify null or an empty string for name, a local semaphore is created, as if you had called the Semaphore(Int32, Int32) constructor overload. In this case, createdNew is always true.

Because named semaphores are visible throughout the operating system, they can be used to coordinate resource use across process boundaries.

Caution

By default, a named semaphore is not restricted to the user that created it. Other users may be able to open and use the semaphore, including interfering with the semaphore by acquiring the semaphore multiple times and not releasing it. To restrict access to specific users, you can use a constructor overload or SemaphoreAcl and pass in a SemaphoreSecurity when creating the named semaphore. Avoid using named semaphores without access restrictions on systems that might have untrusted users running code.

See also

• Managed Threading
• Semaphore