<< Razor Tip #2: Output Text in Code Context | Please Use TryParse and Avoid Parse+Try/Catch >>

Forget 42, –1 is My New Answer to Life

Posted by Shay Friedman on April 25, 2011
65 comments

I’ve just stumbled upon the next code statement – Thread.Sleep(-1). It left me wondering what was happening there since MSDN tells you nothing about a –1 value for the milliseconds parameter:

“The number of milliseconds for which the thread is blocked. Specify zero (0) to indicate that this thread should be suspended to allow other waiting threads to execute. Specify Infinite to block the thread indefinitely.“ – System.Threading.Thread.Sleep, MSDN

To check that out, I opened the IronRuby interactive console and filled in System::Threading::Thread.Sleep(-1) and hit Enter just to find out that this call blocks the thread indefinitely. Could it be? –1 is Infinite?

Reflector to our aid! oh wait, RedGate now charges money for it and had planted a time bomb inside the free version which made it stop working. grrrr
ILSpy to our aid! (I highly recommend ILSpy as a Reflector alternative… very similar, free, oss… great community effort!)

Anyway, ILSpy proved my concerns:

System.Threading.Timeout.Infinite Value

So… –1 actually represents Infinity (when it comes to threading in .NET). And Infinity is much cooler than 42, hence –1 is the new answer to life.
Q.E.D.

All the best,
Shay.

Comments

April 25. 2011 02:05 PM

Hello Shay,
nice hint. Can you give an example when to block a thread indefinitely?
Thx,
Falko

Falko Janak

April 25. 2011 03:11 PM

I ran into this particular code statement in Microsoft's implementation of the RoleEntryPoint class (the base class for Azure roles). In general, you'd want to use it when you're doing operations not on the main thread and you want your application to remain active.

Shay Friedman

April 27. 2011 10:41 AM

What do you mean by time bomb in the free version of Redgate? Does ILSpy provide all the functionalities that Redgate provides.?

Oracle E-Business Suite Training

April 28. 2011 03:04 PM

This came from the INFINITE definition in Win32 which is the unsigned value 0xFFFFFFFF == -1.

Alon

Alon

December 4. 2011 10:26 AM

I appreciate with your stuff.I am very much interested in these types of topics and it's my habit to read this.

recruiters

January 12. 2012 12:09 PM

I also appropriate your decision to get rid off "42"

Brain Dumps

January 12. 2012 12:48 PM

Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast.

idol lash scam

January 12. 2012 12:49 PM

I think more people need to read blogs like this. Its so important to know how to construct a great blog to get people interested and youve done just that. The content is great, the videos are perfect for what youre trying to say. Awesome, man. Really awesome! Cant wait to read more.

does alli work

January 13. 2012 08:32 AM

I must say this is quite interesting Information. It was very pleased to find this site. I want to thank you for this great read!!

Phenocal

January 14. 2012 02:11 AM

This site content for such a great and impressive info.

gamefly free trial

January 17. 2012 02:39 PM

Thanks for the great post , I was looking for this post since for a while, Glad to found it.

Celebrities Without Make Up

January 23. 2012 05:20 PM

The content of the post is pretty powerful, Thanks to author for appreciated post, I was looking for it since for a while.

Kmart coupons

February 2. 2012 10:41 PM

of the post is pretty powerful, Thanks to author for appreciated post, I was looking for it since for a while.

clarinet parts

February 2. 2012 10:42 PM

post is pretty powerful, Thanks to author for appreciated post, I was looking for it since for a while.

dmaa scoop dosage

February 2. 2012 10:43 PM

pretty powerful, Thanks to author for appreciated post, I was looking for it since for a while.

dmaa scoop dosage

February 2. 2012 10:45 PM

powerful, Thanks to author for appreciated post, I was looking for it since for a while.

dmaa scoop dosage

February 2. 2012 10:46 PM

Thanks to author for appreciated post, I was looking for it since for a while.

5-htp wikipedia

February 2. 2012 10:47 PM

to author foruthor for appreciated post, I was looking for it since for a wh appreciated post, I was looking for it since for a while.

schisandra chinensis benefits

February 2. 2012 10:48 PM

foruthor for appreciated post, I was looking for it since for a wh appreciated post, I was looking for it since for a while.

schisandra chinensis benefits

February 2. 2012 10:48 PM

for appreciated post, I was looking for it since for a wh appreciated post, I was looking for it since for a while.

yohimbine bark extract

February 3. 2012 10:59 PM

I was looking for it since for a wh appreciated post, I was looking for it since for a while.

5-htp tr

February 3. 2012 11:00 PM

ooking for it since for a wh appreciated post, I was looking for it since for a while

dimethyl-pentylamine-hydrochloride

February 3. 2012 11:03 PM

for it since for a wh appreciated post, I was looking for it since for a while

clarinet supplies store

February 3. 2012 11:04 PM

appreciated post, I was looking for it since for a wh appreciated post, I was looking for it since for a while.

benefits of schisandra

February 3. 2012 11:05 PM

post, I was looking for it since for a wh appreciated post, I was looking for it since for a while.

benefits of schisandra

February 3. 2012 11:06 PM

t, I was looking for it since for a wh appreciated post, I was looking for it since for a while.

buy yohimbine hcl

February 5. 2012 03:46 PM

Its a great pleasure reading your blog. The blog content is powerful.Very Good.

Chicago bathroom remodeling

February 7. 2012 02:43 PM

payday cash advance in Vegas

February 7. 2012 09:20 PM

Really informative post. Like this post, it's disturbing but very informative. I'm really glad Feministe provides a platform for important discussions like this

compare auto insurance rates

February 13. 2012 05:08 AM

<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">ghd hair straighteners</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">cheapest ghd hair straighteners</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">cheap hair straighteners</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">ghd hair straightener sale</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">ghd hair straighteners pink</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">new ghd hair straighteners</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">ghd iv styler</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">ghd hair irons</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">GHD Blue Serenity</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">GHD Green Envy</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">GHD IV Mini Styler</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">GHD New Rare</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">GHD Precious Gift Set</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">GHD Purple Indulgence</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">GHD Red Lust</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">GHD 2009 Pink Styler</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">GHD Radiance Gift Set</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">GHD Rare Styler</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">GHD IV Styler</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">GHD Kiss Pink IV Styler</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">GHD Gold IV Styler</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">GHD Pure IV Styler</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">GHD Purple Gift Set</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">GHD Dark Styler</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">GHD Pink Flat Iron</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">GHD IV Styling Set</a>
<a href="http://www.ghdhairstraightenersuk.org/" rel="dofollow">GHD IV Salon Style</a>

ghd hair straighteners

February 13. 2012 05:10 AM

pretty powerful, Thanks to author for appreciated post, I was looking for it since for a while.

ghd hair straighteners

February 13. 2012 05:21 AM

pretty powerful, Thanks to author for appreciated post, I was looking for it since for a while.

ghd hair straighteners

February 13. 2012 05:22 AM

pretty powerful, Thanks to author for appreciated post, I was looking for it since for a while.

ghd hair straighteners

February 13. 2012 07:11 AM

<a href="http://www.ukpolosralphlaurensale.com/" rel="dofollow">rugby outlet online</a>

ralph lauren outlet uk online

February 13. 2012 11:14 PM

Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.

NJ Movers

February 14. 2012 11:30 PM

Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have really enjoyed your blog posts.In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!…http://www.breakinglolz.com

funny news

February 15. 2012 09:07 AM

I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have really enjoyed your blog posts.

timberland boots men

February 15. 2012 09:18 AM

You will not die tomorrow.

timberland mens boots

February 15. 2012 09:29 AM

Sixteen wins in the regular season and two more big ones in this playoff run. An earned-run average of 2.69.

timberland mens boots

February 16. 2012 05:21 AM

Toyota began a series of safety recalls in late 2009, and some 2009 model-year vehicles were included in those recalls, but that wasn't reflected in the company's results

ralph lauren sale

February 16. 2012 05:27 AM

and Chrysler Group LLC went through bankruptcy that year, and U.S. auto sales fell to a 30-year low because of the recession.

polo Ralph Lauren Coupons

February 16. 2012 05:35 AM

J.D. Power automotive vice president David Sargent said in a statement.

polo ralph lauren clearance

February 16. 2012 11:07 AM

Using the special <text></text> element – when you want to output several lines within code context, it becomes irritating to use the

northface

February 16. 2012 11:43 AM

I think I am quite anxious about this technical meeting and I want to know the feedback of this meeting.I am sure it will be an extremely informative one and all those will attend it will be quite beneficial.

NJ Moving

February 16. 2012 11:57 AM

une école de Bidart au Pays Basque pour sensibiliser les plus jeunes sur la thématique des macro déchets.

ralph tletlauren ou

February 18. 2012 10:30 AM

Pretty section of Mastiff Training. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your Mastiff Pictures blog posts. Any way Mastiff breed will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast.

Mastiff

February 20. 2012 05:09 AM

"To those who thought I was callously encouraging that as a prescription for today, I kindly ask your forgiveness," he wrote.

timberland boots sale

February 21. 2012 06:14 AM

<a href="http://www.ralphlaurenonlinestore.co.uk/" rel="dofollow">ralph lauren sale uk</a>

ralph lauren uk

February 21. 2012 10:33 AM

thanks for the post !!

Wind Turbines

February 22. 2012 07:00 AM

TryParse will achieve the same result like Parse but with one major difference – it will not raise an exception once the conversion

ralph tletlauren ou

Add comment

Name*
E-mail* (Will show your Gravatar icon)
Website
Country Country flag

b i u quote

Comment
Preview

Notify me when new comments are added

My Book

IronRuby Unleashed

Microsoft MVP

I'm a Visual C#/IronRuby MVP

I work at

Upcoming Gigs

January 11-13, USA

March 26-30, England

Want to book me for a session/course? contact me.

That's Me!

I'm Shay Friedman - a Visual C#/IronRuby MVP, a consultant and instructor of .NET technologies, author, speaker and new technologies freak
More about me

Contact Me

> Contact page
> Twitter: @ironshay
> LinkedIn profile

Search

Hosted By

I'm hosting this site on Arvixe and I'm very happy with it.
If you're looking for ASP.NET hosting, I highly recommend it
(and if you order from this link I also get some beer money!)
Web Hosting

IronShay

Ironing code, geek t-shirts and even presentations!

Forget 42, –1 is My New Answer to Life

My Book

Microsoft MVP

I work at

Upcoming Gigs

Categories

That's Me!

Contact Me

Search

Hosted By

Archive

	-- disclaimer -- The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in anyway. © Copyright 2012 Shay Friedman	-- contact me -- > Contact page > Twitter: @ironshay > LinkedIn profile Read about me
Powered by BlogEngine.NET 1.6.1.0 \| Design by: NodeThirtyThree Design, Adapted by RazorAnt and myself