c# Two Programs accessing a single-threaded encoder

Question

I have written a program to enable quick configuration of an encoder as well as data acquisition to a text file. I need to be able to access the encoder through industrial software at the same time, reading the text file is not possible. I have no access to change code on the industrial software or how it even accesses the encoder (I haven't seen it). Any ideas on how to implement a layer to manage the single-threaded encoder which uses .dll libraries for access would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

If you invoke the industrial software from your code, just lock the part of your code that calls the single threaded component like this:

public class ResourceAccessorClass
{
    private object _lockObject = new object();

    public void SafeAccess()
    {
        lock (_lockObject)
        {
            // Access thread-sensitive resources.
        }
    }
}

Msdn documentation on Thread Synchronization: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms173179.aspx

If the industrial software is running continuously (not triggered by your code), it's more complicated though.