Modeless vs Modal Dialog

Simple explanation of the differences between modeless and modal dialogs.

Show() – Modeless

• Doesn’t stop executing.
• Can show and create several windows and interact all at once.

ShowDialog() – Modal

• Intercepts code execution.
• Stops interaction with other windows.
• Ideal for presenting the user with a choice that must be made before continuing.
• When a form is closed the form object and all it’s control information still exists until the referencing variable goes out of scope:

Form1 myForm = new Form1();
myForm .ShowDialog();
....lots of code here.....
myForm.Dispose();