CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c#asynchronoustask
ConfusedNoob
ConfusedNoob

Reputation: 10186

Using Cancellation with Async Tasks

Is there a way to cancel an Async System.Threading.Tasks.Task? i.e.

Task.Factory.FromAsync(
    client.BeginCallWebService, 
    client.EndCallWebService, 
    "param1", 
    null);

I would like to register a shared CancellationToken with this task so that if the token is cancelled before this Async task is invoked, it won't be invoked.

Thanks

Upvotes: 3

Views: 2525

Answers (2)

Martin
Martin

Reputation: 16

I would disagree to the notion that Cancelling an Async Task makes no sense.

You are correct, that it usually would by invoked right away (and a hot task is returned) but that is not always the case, for example when you use a TaskFactory which uses an OrderedTaskScheduler (a class executes one task after another). OrderedTaskScheduler is contained in http://archive.msdn.microsoft.com/ParExtSamples/Release/ProjectReleases.aspx?ReleaseId=4179

Take care, Martin

Upvotes: 0

ConfusedNoob
ConfusedNoob

Reputation: 10186

So, having put some more thought into this I think cancelling an Async task makes no sense as the Begin part will be invoked 'inline' that, is right away on the calling thread.

Therefore there is no need to support cancellation in this way.

If you wanted to actually abort a processing call (e.g. to a web service or using web client) you could implement a TaskCompletionSource approach instead as documented here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee622454.aspx

Sorry to answer my own question, I'm guessing that's a bit of no-no.

Upvotes: 2

Related Questions