How Do I Gracefully Handle Ctrl C Interrupts in C# Console Applications?

How to Handle Ctrl C (SIGINT) in C# Console Applications

A common scenario in C# console applications is managing the cleanup process when users press Ctrl C (SIGINT). This signal prompts the application to interrupt its current execution and exit. Understanding how to trap this signal is crucial for implementing a well-structured and user-friendly application.

Using the Console.CancelKeyPress Event

The primary way to intercept Ctrl C in C# is through the Console.CancelKeyPress event. This event is triggered when the user presses Ctrl C. In response, you can define a delegate that contains the cleanup operations you wish to perform before the program exits.

Here's an example of using the Console.CancelKeyPress event:

public static void Main(string[] args)
{
    Console.CancelKeyPress += delegate {
        // Perform cleanup operations here
    };

    while (true) // Keep the program running until Ctrl+C is pressed
    {

    }
}

When the user presses Ctrl C, the delegate assigned to the Console.CancelKeyPress event will be executed, allowing you to perform any necessary cleanup.

Handling Long-Running Operations

In some scenarios, your application may be performing long-running operations that cannot be interrupted immediately. In such cases, using Console.CancelKeyPress may not be appropriate.

An alternative solution is to use set-reset events. Create an event with a manual reset and subscribe to it in the delegate assigned to the Console.CancelKeyPress event. When the user presses Ctrl C, set the event. The main loop can check for the event's status and gracefully exit when the event is set.

Conclusion

Trapping Ctrl C (SIGINT) in a C# console application is essential for enabling users to interrupt the program and exit gracefully. By utilizing the Console.CancelKeyPress event or alternative approaches like set-reset events, you can handle Ctrl C signals effectively and maintain a user-friendly application.

The above is the detailed content of How Do I Gracefully Handle Ctrl C Interrupts in C# Console Applications?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!