Question

Consider this code:

var weakRef = new WeakReference(new StringBuilder("Mehran"));
if (weakRef.IsAlive)
{
    // Garbage Collection might happen.
    Console.WriteLine((weakRef.Target as StringBuilder).ToString());
}

It’s possible for GC.Collect to run after checking weakRef.IsAlive and before using the weakRef.Target.

Am I wrong with this? If it’s possible, ss there a safe way to do that?

For example an API like weakRef.GetTargetIfIsAlive() would be appropriate.

Answer 1

That API already exists; weakRef.Target returns null if the object has already been garbage collected.

StringBuilder sb = weakRef.Target as StringBuilder;
if (sb != null)
{
    Console.WriteLine(sb.ToString());
}