When should I use IDisposable in C#?

When should I use IDisposable in C#?

You should implement IDisposable when your class uses unmanaged resources, like file handles or database connections.

Can you give me an example of a class that implements IDisposable?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

public class ResourceHolder : IDisposable {
    private FileStream _fileStream;

    public ResourceHolder(string filePath) {
        _fileStream = new FileStream(filePath, FileMode.Open);
    }

    public void Dispose() {
        _fileStream?.Dispose();
    }
}

What happens if I forget to implement IDisposable?

If you forget to implement IDisposable, unmanaged resources may not be released properly, leading to memory leaks.

Are there any alternatives to using IDisposable?

Yes, you can use the using statement in C#, which automatically calls Dispose when the object goes out of scope.