Game development requires efficient control over threads to handle complex game logic and ensure smooth gameplay. In C++20, the addition of std::jthread makes it easier to manage threads and their lifecycle. In this blog post, we will explore how to use std::jthread in game development.

What is std::jthread?

std::jthread is a new class introduced in C++20 that encapsulates a native thread and its associated resources. It provides a more convenient and safer way to work with threads compared to the low-level std::thread class. The key advantage of std::jthread is that it automatically joins or detaches the thread upon destruction, ensuring proper cleanup and preventing resource leaks.

Simplifying Thread Management

Game development involves creating different threads to handle tasks such as game physics, rendering, and input processing. Managing these threads efficiently can be a challenging task. However, with std::jthread, we can significantly simplify thread management.

Let’s consider an example where we want to create a separate thread for updating game physics. We can achieve this using std::jthread as follows:

{
    // Create a jthread object
    std::jthread physicsThread([&]() {
        while (gameIsRunning) {
            // Update game physics here
        }
    });
  
    // Perform other tasks in the main thread
  
    // Stop the physics thread
    physicsThread.request_stop();
}

In the example above, we create a std::jthread object, physicsThread, by passing a lambda function as a thread function. Inside the lambda, we can perform the desired game physics calculations in a loop until the gameIsRunning flag is set to false.

By using std::jthread, we no longer need to manually join or detach the thread. When the physicsThread object goes out of scope, it automatically joins the thread, ensuring the proper cleanup of resources.

Exception Handling

Exception handling becomes more manageable with std::jthread. If an exception is thrown from within the thread function, the std::jthread constructor automatically catches the exception, joins the thread, and rethrows the exception in the calling context. This feature helps to handle exceptions gracefully and prevent potential resource leaks.

Conclusion

With the addition of std::jthread in C++20, managing threads in game development becomes easier and safer. It simplifies thread creation, cleanup, and exception handling, providing developers with a more robust foundation for handling parallel tasks in their games. Consider using std::jthread to enhance the performance and maintainability of your game projects.

#gamedevelopment #stdjthread