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Multi-threading in Java

What is Multithreading?​

  • Multithreading is a programming paradigm that enables a program to execute multiple threads concurrently.

  • A thread is a lightweight, independent unit of execution that shares the same resources, such as memory space, with other threads.

  • Each thread represents a sequence of instructions, and multiple threads can run simultaneously, sharing the CPU's processing time.

The Necessity of Multithreading​

Multithreading improves a program's performance and responsiveness by allowing multiple tasks to run concurrently.

Here are the key points:

  • Enhanced Performance:

    1. Utilizes multiple CPU cores efficiently.

    2. Completes tasks faster by running them in parallel.

  • Improved Responsiveness:

    1. Keeps applications responsive by handling multiple tasks simultaneously.

    2. For example, a program can handle user input while processing background tasks.

  • Independent Tasks:

    1. Useful for performing tasks that can be done independently.

    2. Examples include file downloads, data processing, and user interface updates running in parallel.

By using multithreading, programs can become more efficient and provide a better user experience.

How to Create Threads in Java​

There are two primary ways to create and manage threads in Java:

  1. Extending the Thread Class

  2. Implementing the Runnable Interface

We will explore these two topics in a further tutorial.