CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c#.net.net-4.0task-parallel-library
Jon
Jon

Reputation: 40032

Specifying a Thread's Name when using Task.StartNew

Is there a way to specify a Thread's name when using the Task.StartNew method

var task = Task.Factory.StartNew(MyAction, TaskCreationOption.LongRunning, ??ThreadName??);

Upvotes: 35

Views: 23858

Answers (5)

SijeDeHaan
SijeDeHaan

Reputation: 183

Tasks use the threadpool and a thread can be named only once. What you can do is use a ThreadStatic variable. It will however live between tasks, so set it in every task again.

Upvotes: 0

paultechguy
paultechguy

Reputation: 2518

I prefer to use Thread.CurrentThread.ManagedThreadId. It's not as good as a name, but does help track the specific work for a thread.

Upvotes: 3

nitrogenycs
nitrogenycs

Reputation: 972

You could write your own TaskScheduler which sets Thread.CurrentThread.Name when it puts a task on a thread. After the task is done your custom TaskScheduler can also clear Thread.CurrentThread.Name to avoid any confusion.

Upvotes: -2

Hans Passant
Hans Passant

Reputation: 941218

Well, this works:

class Program {
    static void Main(string[] args) {
        var task = Task.Factory.StartNew(() => {
            Thread.CurrentThread.Name = "foo";
            Thread.Sleep(10000);   // Use Debug + Break to see it
        });
        task.Wait();
    }
}

There's a problem however, the threadpool thread gets recycled and won't change its name. This can be confusing, you'll see it running later executing entirely different code. Be sure to take note of this. Your best bet is otherwise to use the Location column in the Debug + Windows + Threads window to find the task back.

Upvotes: 43

Henk Holterman
Henk Holterman

Reputation: 273169

Not a Thread-name for sure.

Threads and tasks are not 1-to-1 related.

You can use the Task.Id to track it.

Upvotes: 20

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