Difference Between dispose () and finalize ()

Lithmee

6 years ago

Key Difference – dispose () vs finalize ()

The key difference between dispose () and finalize () is that dispose () has to be explicitly invoked by the programmer while the finalize () is invoked by the garbage collector before destroying the object.

The dispose () is a method to close or release unmanaged resources such as files, streams held by an object. The finalize is a method to perform cleanup operations on unmanaged resources held by the current object before the object is destroyed.

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is dispose ()
3. What is finalize ()
4. Similarities Between dispose () and finalize ()
5. Side by Side Comparison – dispose () vs finalize () in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is dispose()?

One of the most important advantages of .NET framework is that it provides automatic garbage collection. It automatically releases the memory of the objects that are not used. In programming languages such as C and C++, the programmer has to handle memory management on his own. But in languages such as C# that is built on .NET framework provides the garbage collector. It helps to manage the memory. It cannot be used to release the unmanaged memory resources. The dispose () method can be used to achieve this task.

The dispose () method can be used to release resources such as database connections, file handlers etc. This method is not called automatically. Therefore, the programmer should implement this method. As soon as this method is invoked, the memory for the particular unmanaged resource gets released. This method is declared in the interface IDisposeable.

What is finalize ()?

The finalize method is only called by the garbage collector when the reference to an object is not used further. This method is called just before destroying the object. This method is implemented with the help of the destructor. The finalize method is defined in the java.lang.object class. This method is declared as protected. It is not declared as public to avoid accessing by the other classes. Overall, the finalize method can minimize the performance of the program because it does not free the memory instantly.

What is the Similarity Between dispose () and finalize()?

Both dispose () and finalize() can be used to free the memory allocated for an unmanaged resource.

What is the Difference Between dispose () and finalize()?

dispose () vs finalize ()
The dispose () is a method to close or release unmanaged resources such as files, streams held by an object.	The finalize is a method to perform clean up operations on unmanaged resources held by the current object before the object is destroyed.
Objective
The dispose method is used to free the unmanaged resources when it is invoked.	The finalize method is used to free the unmanaged resources before the object is destroyed.
Defined Interface or Class
The dispose () is defined in the interface IDisposable interface.	The finalize () is defined in java.lang.object class.
Invoking Method
The dispose method is invoked by the programmer.	The finalize method is invoked by the garbage collector.
Access Specifier
The dispose method is public.	The finalize method is protected.
Speed
The dispose method is invoked instantly.	The finalize method is invoked slowly.
Performance
The dispose will not minimize the performance of the program.	The finalize method might minimize the performance of the program.

Summary – dispose () vs finalize ()

This article discussed the difference between dispose and finalize methods in C#. The difference between dispose () and finalize () is that, dispose () has to be explicitly invoked by the programmer while the finalize () is invoked by the garbage collector before destroying the object.

Reference:

1.Implementing Finalize and Dispose to Clean Up Unmanaged Resources. Available here
2.Sharma, Nitya. “Back To Basics – Dispose Vs Finalize.” C# Corner. Available here

Image Courtesy:

1.’Csharp Logo’By Andres15alvarez – Own work, (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia