Does this excluding other instances method require synchronization?

[ahmd]

Hi everyone. I'm using the following method from within InitInstance() for the process to make sure that only one instance of the program is running at a time (for a single logon session):

HANDLE hSingleInstanceObj = ::CreateEvent(NULL, FALSE, FALSE, _T("Unique_process_name"));
if(hSingleInstanceObj)
{
	//Did it already exist?
	if(::GetLastError() == ERROR_ALREADY_EXISTS)
	{
		CloseHandle(hSingleInstanceObj);

		//Exit this instance since another one is already running
		return FALSE;
	}
}


//Do main processing here
...


//When the app exits
CloseHandle(hSingleInstanceObj);
hSingleInstanceObj = NULL;

Now I'm wondering, does the method above guarantee that there'll be no second instance of this process running, or do I need additional interprocess synchronization for the CreateEvent() call?

[VictorN]

You have have to use Mutex, not Event.
Have a look at Avoiding Multiple Instances of an Application.

[Arjay]

Internally the OS will serialize the calls to CreateMutex so you don't have to worry about the OS handing out duplicates.

[MilesAhead]

For best results use a Guid string constant generated by a tool and pasted in for the name.
They are legal for kernel object names.

"{C116AAA6-F7F0-48B7-B52D-F6A7F605B678}"

Don't use a function call that generates a Guid string since it will be different on every call and the test for a previous instance will fail. If you want to transfer the command line a few pages of Memory Mapped File using the paging file as backing works fine. You need to set up some method to test if there's valid data in the shared memory. Alternatively, to do it "automatically" you can create a message only window in the Main Instance using a Guid string for class name. In the second instance use WM_COPYDATA and SendMessage to send the command line over.

If you use the Memory Mapped File method, then you can use the Mutex you already created to serialize access to the shared memory. The 2nd instance gets the mutex, writes command line stuff into the shared memory, surrenders the mutex and dies. The Main instance periodically tests for some flag in the shared memory that fresh data has been written in and copies it out while it has the mutex etc..

Various ways to skin the cat. If you want to allow 2nd copies of the program under certain circumstances then you can use the message only window alone as the test for if an instance is already running. If the window with class name Guidname exists, you're not the main instance etc..

[Codeplug]

>> You have have to use Mutex, not Event.
Events will work as well. Both are named kernel objects.

>> or do I need additional interprocess synchronization
No, you don't. What you have is fine.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr...8VS.85%29.aspx

gg

[ahmd]

Thank you, guys. That's what I wanted to hear.

As for using mutex vs. event, I agree, both should be kernel named objects and it doesn't matter which one is used in this sense.

As for MilesAhead's suggestion, thanks, but I truly don't want to go too hard on it, especially with a memory mapping and sending window messages. Plus, however you look at it some name has to be statically linked and thus that negates the point of randomizing other names. Might be only my opinion though but I tried it out on one other thread and didn't succeed...

[MilesAhead]

Thank you, guys. That's what I wanted to hear.

As for using mutex vs. event, I agree, both should be kernel named objects and it doesn't matter which one is used in this sense.

As for MilesAhead's suggestion, thanks, but I truly don't want to go too hard on it, especially with a memory mapping and sending window messages. Plus, however you look at it some name has to be statically linked and thus that negates the point of randomizing other names. Might be only my opinion though but I tried it out on one other thread and didn't succeed...

So your unique name is going to be "unique_name" ?
I don't understand what you're talking about with randomizing names.

If you are going to limit your app to a single instance then 99% of the time you need to handle command line param transfer since some user is going to launch another copy with a command line either through explorer shell extension or file association. Unless it's an unusual thing like some network service or something.

If all you need is auto kill of instances then there are lots of techniques you can use without semaphores.