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

Explain the working of a hybrid in telephone networks, How does a hybrid in...

How does a hybrid in telephone networks work ? The circuit operation is as follows: The input signal is coupled to the B and F windings similarly. By the C winding, the i

Name some multimedia applications, Illustrate what are the Multimedia appli...

Illustrate what are the Multimedia applications Multimedia comprise the use of a computer to present: - Text - Video - Graphics - Sound - Animation In an inte

How will you prepare problem statement, How will you prepare problem statem...

How will you prepare problem statement? Problem statement should state what is to be completed and not how it is to be executed. It should be a statement of requirements not a

Artificial intelligence software, Artificial Intelligence Software A...

Artificial Intelligence Software Artificial Intelligence (AI) software employs non numerical algorithms to resolve complex problems that are not amenable to computation or s

State the concept of hierarchy in object oriented, Hierarchy Hierarchy...

Hierarchy Hierarchy is a process of ranking or ordering of abstraction. Hierarchy is decided by the help of 'divide and conquer' principle. Complex objects can be described

What are the various functional verification methodologies, What are the va...

What are the various functional verification methodologies Ans: TLM (Transaction Level Modelling) Linting RTL Simulation (Environment  involving  :  stimulus  generators,

Describe about second generation computers, Q. Describe about Second Genera...

Q. Describe about Second Generation Computers? Silicon brought advent of second generation computers. A two state device termed as a transistor was created from silicon. Transi

Processes of information system, Processes of Information System The b...

Processes of Information System The basic purpose of the Information System is to convert and manage data into something that is meaningful. Bocij et al (2003) lists the basic

Define the term- encryption, Define the term- encryption The user would ...

Define the term- encryption The user would then type in O P E and card purchase will be authorised. This extra protection is used as well as encryption. Some of the new syste

What are the benefits of using asp.net routing, In an ASP.NET web applicati...

In an ASP.NET web application that does not build use of routing, an incoming browser request should map to a physical file. If the file does not exist, we get page not found error

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