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In the context of C#, dispose is an object method invoked to execute code required for memory cleanup and release and reset unmanaged resources, such as file handles and database connections. Dispose improves performance and optimizes memory by releasing unmanageable objects and scarce resources, like Graphics Device Interface (GDI) handles used in applications with restricted Windows space.
The Dispose method, provided by the IDisposable interface, implements Dispose calls. The Dispose pattern is designed for timely and predictable cleanup, prevention of temporary memory leaks and disposal of resources.
The .NET framework facilitates garbage collection (GC), manages object memory and resources and reclaims invalid object memory references by invoking Finalize - a non-deterministic method. The Dispose method controls the lifetime of object memory instances and provides explicit memory cleanup control, versus Finalize's implicit memory cleanup. Dispose may be invoked even when other memory object instances exist, whereas Finalize may only be invoked after the last memory object is destroyed.
Dispose method rules are as follows:
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