C# FAQ: What are the differences between CSharp finalizers and Java destructors

Microsoft .NET Framework, ASP.NET, Visual C# (CSharp, C Sharp, C-Sharp) Developer Training, Visual Studio

What are the differences between C# finalizers and Java destructors?

C# features hybrid destructors which use a C++ style, destructor syntax yet share most of their semantics with Java finalizers.

The following C# and Java examples are equivalent:

using System; 
 
public class CSharpClass
{
   ~CSharpClass()
   {
   }
}

public class JavaClass
{
   public void finalize()
   {
   }
}

Although C# destructors automatically call the base class destructor after execution, this does not happen in the Java finalizer system.

Visual C# Best Practice

Finalizers are used carefully by experienced developers; because, the order of finalization cannot be controlled: Objects which hold references to each other may need to be finalized in a certain order. Further, finalization involves significant overhead; because, objects with finalizers are garbage collected after the finalizer thread ends rather than after the garbage collection thread. Thus, such objects live longer in the system.

See also

• Are C# constructors inherited?
• How can one constructor call another?
• Are constructors the same in C++ and C#?
• Are destructors the same in C++ and C#?
• How call a virtual method from a constructor or destructor?
• How do destructors work in C#?
• How enforce constructor correctness in C#?
• How make a C# destructor virtual?
• What are the differences between C# and Java constructors?
• What are the differences between C# finalizers and Java destructors?
• What is the syntax for calling an overloaded constructor from within a constructor?
• Why must struct constructors have at least one argument?