Explain the concept of thread, Computer Engineering

Assignment Help:

The Concept of Thread

A thread is a sequential flow of control within a process. A process is able to have one or more threads. Threads have their own register-values and program-counter but they share memory space and other resources of the process. Every process begins with a single thread. Through the execution, other threads can be created as and when required. Similar to processes, every thread has an execution state (terminated, ready, blocked or running). A thread has right to use the memory address space and resources of its process. Threads have similar life cycles as processes do. A single processor system may support concurrency by switching execution among two or more threads. A multi processor system may support parallel concurrency by executing a separate thread on every processor. There are three fundamental techniques in concurrent programming languages for terminating and creating threads: 

  • Unsynchronised creation and termination - In this mode threads are created and terminated by means of library functions for example START_PROCESS, CREATE_PROCESS, START_THREAD, CREATE_THREAD and. Thus because of these function calls a new thread or process is created and starts executing independent of its parents.
  • Synchronized termination and unsynchronised creation: This manner uses two instructions: JOIN and FORK. The FORK instruction creates a new thread or process. When the parent needs the child's (thread or process) result, it calls JOIN instruction. At this junction two processes (threads) are synchronised.
  • Synchronised termination and creation: The most often system construct to implement synchronization is COBEGIN...COEND. The threads among the COBEGIN...COEND construct are implemented in parallel. The termination of parent-child is suspended till all child threads are terminated.

We can think of a thread as essentially a lightweight process. Though, threads propose a number of advantages over processes. The advantages are as follows:

a)  It does not take so much time to create and terminate a new thread than to create and terminate a process. The reason is that a newly created thread uses the current process address space.  

b)  It does not take so much time to switch between two threads within a common process, partly since the newly created thread uses current process address space. 

c)  Less communication overheads -- communicating between the threads of one process is simple since the threads share amongst other entities the address space. So, data generated by one thread is right away available to all other threads.


Related Discussions:- Explain the concept of thread

What is XMS, What is XMS Memory system is divided into 3 main parts. TP...

What is XMS Memory system is divided into 3 main parts. TPA (transient program area), system area and XMS (extended memory system). Type of microprocessor in your computer sign

Explain disk cartridges, Q. Explain Disk Cartridges ? Disk Cartridges:...

Q. Explain Disk Cartridges ? Disk Cartridges: Removable disk cartridges are an option to hard disk units as a form of secondary storage. Cartridge generally comprises one or

Define the vbscript basics, VBScript is an easy and powerful to learn tool ...

VBScript is an easy and powerful to learn tool which can be used to add interaction to your Web pages. Web browser receives scripts along with rest of the Web document. Browser par

Minimum total number of shelv, Write a program that finds the minimum total...

Write a program that finds the minimum total number of shelv, C/C++ Programming

Explain process of file transfer protocol, Q. Explain process of File Trans...

Q. Explain process of File Transfer Protocol? FTP (File Transfer Protocol), a standard Internet protocol, is the simplest way to exchange files between computers on Internet. L

How and what data is collected - weather simulation, How and what data is c...

How and what data is collected - Weather simulation -  Sensors measure pressure, relative humidity, temperature and wind speed and wind direction -  Sensors are placed in w

ATM is an example of which topology?, ATM is an example of? ATM is illu...

ATM is an example of? ATM is illustration of Star topology.

Recombination and mutation, Recombination and Mutation: In such a scen...

Recombination and Mutation: In such a scenario the point of GAs is to generate population after population of individuals that represent possible solutions to the problem at h

What is a parent class of all java classes, Parent class of all Java classe...

Parent class of all Java classes is? All Java class's parent class is java. lang.object.

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd