Search code examples
c#delegatesanonymous-methodsbegininvoke

Anonymous method as parameter to BeginInvoke?


Why can't you pass an anonymous method as a parameter to the BeginInvoke method? I have the following code:

private delegate void CfgMnMnuDlg(DIServer svr);
private void ConfigureMainMenu(DIServer server,)
{
    MenuStrip mnMnu = PresenterView.MainMenu;
    if (mnMnu.InvokeRequired)
    {
        mnMnu.BeginInvoke((CfgMnMnuDlg)ConfigureMainMenu, 
                            new object[] { server});
    }
    else
    {
        // Do actual work here
    }
}

I'm trying to avoid declaring the delegate. Why can't I write something like the below instead? Or can I, and I just can't figure out the correct syntax? The below currently generates an:

Argument type 'Anonymous method' is not assignable to parameter type 'System.Delegate'

Ok, that's right of course, but is there some other syntax I can use to do this (avoid having to declare a separate delegate in order to use BeginInvoke()?

(Being able to do this would fit in neatly with the concept of using anon methods/lamdas in place of explicit delegates which works so cleanly everywhere else.)

private void ConfigureMainMenu(DIServer server,)
{
    MenuStrip mnMnu = PresenterView.MainMenu;
    if (mnMnu.InvokeRequired)
    {
        mnMnu.BeginInvoke(  //  pass anonymous method instead ?
             delegate(DIServer svr) { ConfigureMainMenu(server);},     
             new object[] { server});
    }
    else
    {
        // Do actual work here
    }
}

Solution

  • Try this:

    control.BeginInvoke((MethodInvoker) delegate { /* method details */ });
    

    Or:

    private void ConfigureMainMenu(DIServer server)
    {
        if (control.InvokeRequired)
        {
            control.BeginInvoke(new Action<DIServer >(ConfigureMainMenu), server);
        }
        else
        {
            /* do work */
        }
    }
    

    Or:

    private void ConfigureMainMenu(DIServer server)
    {
        MenuStrip mnMnu = PresenterView.MainMenu;
        if (mnMnu.InvokeRequired)
        {
            // Private variable
            _methodInvoker = new MethodInvoker((Action)(() => ConfigureMainMenu(server)));
            _methodInvoker.BeginInvoke(new AsyncCallback(ProcessEnded), null); // Call _methodInvoker.EndInvoke in ProcessEnded
        }
        else
        {
            /* do work */
        }
    }