Is there simple mechanism to keep a property for a limited period of time in .net?

Question

I would like to set property for a X minutes. After that period it should return null or expired.

Is there any simple mechanism in C#?

Like this:

  private static TimeCache<LoginData> _session;

  private void Login() {
    ...
    _session.Set(ws.Login());
  }

  private void DoStuff() {
    if (_session.Expired)
      Login()
    ...
  }

Answer 1

You can create a simple class for this.

class ExpiringValue<T>
{
    protected T _value;
    protected DateTime _expiration;

    public ExpiringValue(T val, DateTime expiration)
    {
        _value = val;
        _expiration = expiration;
    }

    public T Value => _expiration < DateTime.Now ? default(T) : _value;
}

To use it, you could do something this:

var message = new ExpiringValue<string>("Hello world", DateTime.Now.AddSeconds(10));

Console.WriteLine("The message is set to {0}", message.Value);

Answer 2

You can use a Timer event OnTimedEvent to reset your property, but be mindful about the thread safety of your property.