How to limit number of users and/or threads for a .net library?

Question

How can we limit the number of users and/or threads for a .net library?

We want to have different library editions for different user groups: 1) Single user: Max 1 user with 1 thread

2) Multiple user with max 50 users and/or threads As an example, this edition can accommodate 50 users can have each 1 thread, or 25 users with each 2 threads

3) Multiple user with max 100 users and/or threads .. and so on.

How can we do this the easiest way with c#? Selina

Answer 1

Define a sempahore and synchronize on it:

static readonly SemaphoreSlim semaphore = new Semaphore(50);

...

//before your library does anything
semaphore.Wait(TimeSpan.FromSeconds(120)); //timeout to prevent deadlocks

Fortunately, everything that you need is built into this class.

You should probably add a wait timeout or you risk causing deadlocks and your customers will deem your library unreliable. If the wait times out you should probably just allow the access.