> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://nicologies.gitbook.io/awesome-programming-knowledge/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://nicologies.gitbook.io/awesome-programming-knowledge/system/windows-message-queue.md).

# Windows Message Queue

## About Messages and Message Queues

<https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms644927(v=vs.85).aspx> Importantly these sections in the page:

* Message Loop
* Posting and Sending Messages

## DotNet Related

* `Application.Run` internally maintains the message/event loop
* `Control.BeginInvoke` is similar to `PostMessage`
* `Control.Invoke`, though internally implemented using `PostMessage`, will wait for the execution to complete like `SendMessage`
* `WinFormSynchronizationContext` or WPF `Dispatcher` should be used instead of `Control.BeginInvoke`/`Invoke`, because the Control might be already disposed when you call its `BeginInvoke` in another thread, whereas the `SynchronizationContext` maintains its own control that has a longer life time scope.
* `Application.DoEvents`: <https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.windows.forms.application.doevents.aspx> the example in this document explains quite well the scenario it can, but not necessary, be used.