Multithreading is a powerful technique in programming that allows us to perform multiple tasks concurrently. In C++, the Standard Library provides us with the std::jthread class, introduced in C++20, which simplifies the process of launching a thread.

The std::jthread class is an improvement over std::thread as it automatically joins the launched thread upon destruction, which helps prevent resource leaks and makes it easier to manage threads in C++ programs. Let’s see how we can use std::jthread to launch a thread:

#include <iostream>
#include <thread>

void myFunction() {
    // Code to be executed in the new thread
    std::cout << "Hello from the new thread!" << std::endl;
}

int main() {
    // Launching a thread using std::jthread
    std::jthread myThread(myFunction);

    // Main thread continues its execution
    std::cout << "Hello from the main thread!" << std::endl;

    // Joining the thread automatically at the end of the block

    return 0;
}

In the example code above, myFunction represents the task that we want to execute in a separate thread. We launch a thread using std::jthread by passing the function or callable object as a constructor argument. The myThread object automatically joins the thread upon destruction, ensuring proper cleanup.

By running the program, you will see the following output:

Hello from the main thread!
Hello from the new thread!

As you can see, the main thread continues its execution while the new thread executes the function myFunction concurrently.

In conclusion, the std::jthread class simplifies the process of launching and managing threads in C++ programs. It automatically joins the launched thread upon destruction, which helps prevent resource leaks and provides a convenient way to handle multithreading tasks. Consider using std::jthread whenever you need to launch a thread in your C++ code.

#cpp #multithreading