Concurrent programming with threads in C++

Concurrent programming is an essential concept in modern software development. It allows different parts of a program to execute simultaneously, improving performance and resource utilization. In the C++ programming language, we can achieve concurrency using threads.

Threads in C++ are lightweight execution units that run concurrently within a program. They allow multiple tasks or functions to be executed simultaneously, taking advantage of multi-core processors. Here’s an example of how you can use threads for concurrent programming in C++:

#include <iostream>
#include <thread>

// Function to be executed by a thread
void printHello() {
    std::cout << "Hello from thread!" << std::endl;
}

int main() {
    // Create a new thread and execute the `printHello` function concurrently
    std::thread t(printHello);

    // Do some other work in the main thread
    std::cout << "Hello from the main thread!" << std::endl;

    // Wait for the thread to finish its execution
    t.join();

    return 0;
}

In this example, we define a function printHello that will be executed by a separate thread. We create a new thread t and pass the printHello function as an argument to the std::thread constructor. The join function is used to wait for the thread to finish its execution before the program exits.

Using threads allows the printHello function to run concurrently with the main thread. As a result, the output may vary between runs, as both threads can execute in parallel. This ability to execute tasks concurrently can greatly improve the performance and responsiveness of your program.

Remember to include the <thread> header to use the threading functionality in C++. Also, it’s important to handle thread synchronization and communication properly to avoid data races and other concurrency issues.

#concurrency #C++