Question

I’m coding in C# and I created a class that I would like to use in a ‘using’ block.

Is this possible and if so, how should I proceed and what to I need to add to my class?

Answer 1

The using keyword can be used on any object that implements IDisposable. To implement IDisposable, include a Dispose method in your class.

It’s usually important to also include the Dispose functionality in your class’s finalizer in case users of your library don’t (or forget to) call Dispose.

For example:

class Email : IDisposable {

    // The only method defined for the 'IDisposable' contract is 'Dispose'.
    public void Dispose() {
        // The 'Dispose' method should clean up any unmanaged resources
        // that your class uses.
    }

    ~Email() {
        // You should also clean up unmanaged resources here, in the finalizer,
        // in case users of your library don't call 'Dispose'.
    }
}

void Main() {

    // The 'using' block can be used with instances of any class that implements
    // 'IDisposable'.
    using (var email = new Email()) {

    }
}