Pthreads Programming

With threads programming, multiple tasks run concurrently within the same program. They can share a single CPU as processes do or take advantage of multiple CPUs when available. They provide a clean way to divide the tasks of a program while sharing data.

Software -- Operating Systems.

Computers are just as busy as the rest of us nowadays. They have lots of tasks to do at once, and need some cleverness to get them all done at the same time.That's why threads are seen more and more often as a new model for programming. Threads have been available for some time. The Mach operating system, the Distributed Computer Environment (DCE), and Windows NT all feature threads.One advantage of most UNIX implementations, as well as DCE, is that they conform to a recently ratified POSIX standard (originally 1003.4a, now 1003.1c), which allows your programs to be portable between them. POSIX threads are commonly known as pthreads, after the word that starts all the names of the function calls. The standard is supported by Solaris, OSF/1, AIX, and several other UNIX-based operating systems.The idea behind threads programming is to have multiple tasks running concurrently within the same program. They can share a single CPU as processes do, or take advantage of multiple CPUs when available. In either case, they provide a clean way to divide the tasks of a program while sharing data.A window interface can read input on dozens of different buttons, each responsible for a separate task. A network server has to accept simultaneous calls from many clients, providing each with reasonable response time. A multiprocessor runs a number-crunching program on several CPUs at once, combining the results when all are done. All these kinds of applications can benefit from threads.In this book you will learn not only what the pthread calls are, but when it is a good idea to use threads and how to make them efficient (which is the whole reason for using threads in the first place). The authors delves into performance issues, comparing threads to processes, contrasting kernel threads to user threads, and showing how to measure speed. He also describes in a simple, clear manner what all the advanced features are for, and how threads interact with the rest of the UNIX system.Topics include: Basic design techniques Mutexes, conditions, and specialized synchronization techniques Scheduling, priorities, and other real-time issues Cancellation UNIX libraries and re-entrant routines Signals Debugging tips Measuring performance Special considerations for the Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)

In modern computer science, there exists no truly sequential computing system; and most advanced programming is parallel programming. This is particularly evident in modern application domains like scientific computation, data science, machine intelligence, etc. This lucid introductory textbook will be invaluable to students of computer science and technology, acting as a self-contained primer to parallel programming. It takes the reader from introduction to expertise, addressing a broad gamut of issues. It covers different parallel programming styles, describes parallel architecture, includes parallel programming frameworks and techniques, presents algorithmic and analysis techniques and discusses parallel design and performance issues. With its broad coverage, the book can be useful in a wide range of courses; and can also prove useful as a ready reckoner for professionals in the field.

Master the essentials of concurrent programming,including testingand debugging This textbook examines languages and libraries for multithreadedprogramming. Readers learn how to create threads in Java and C++,and develop essential concurrent programming and problem-solvingskills. Moreover, the textbook sets itself apart from othercomparable works by helping readers to become proficient in keytesting and debugging techniques. Among the topics covered, readersare introduced to the relevant aspects of Java, the POSIX Pthreadslibrary, and the Windows Win32 Applications ProgrammingInterface. The authors have developed and fine-tuned this book through theconcurrent programming courses they have taught for the past twentyyears. The material, which emphasizes practical tools andtechniques to solve concurrent programming problems, includesoriginal results from the authors' research. Chaptersinclude: * Introduction to concurrent programming * The critical section problem * Semaphores and locks * Monitors * Message-passing * Message-passing in distributed programs * Testing and debugging concurrent programs As an aid to both students and instructors, class libraries havebeen implemented to provide working examples of all the materialthat is covered. These libraries and the testing techniques theysupport can be used to assess student-written programs. Each chapter includes exercises that build skills in programwriting and help ensure that readers have mastered the chapter'skey concepts. The source code for all the listings in the text andfor the synchronization libraries is also provided, as well asstartup files and test cases for the exercises. This textbook is designed for upper-level undergraduates andgraduate students in computer science. With its abundance ofpractical material and inclusion of working code, coupled with anemphasis on testing and debugging, it is also a highly usefulreference for practicing programmers.

In-depth coverage is given of the emerging POSIX Threads library for UNIX and how to code with it. These pages explain the concepts and foundations of threads programming, including real-life constructions. The book compares and contrasts the Pthreads library with those for OS/2 and Windows NT throughout.

Get up and running with system programming concepts in Linux Key FeaturesAcquire insight on Linux system architecture and its programming interfacesGet to grips with core concepts such as process management, signalling and pthreadsPacked with industry best practices and dozens of code examplesBook Description The Linux OS and its embedded and server applications are critical components of today’s software infrastructure in a decentralized, networked universe. The industry's demand for proficient Linux developers is only rising with time. Hands-On System Programming with Linux gives you a solid theoretical base and practical industry-relevant descriptions, and covers the Linux system programming domain. It delves into the art and science of Linux application programming— system architecture, process memory and management, signaling, timers, pthreads, and file IO. This book goes beyond the use API X to do Y approach; it explains the concepts and theories required to understand programming interfaces and design decisions, the tradeoffs made by experienced developers when using them, and the rationale behind them. Troubleshooting tips and techniques are included in the concluding chapter. By the end of this book, you will have gained essential conceptual design knowledge and hands-on experience working with Linux system programming interfaces. What you will learnExplore the theoretical underpinnings of Linux system architectureUnderstand why modern OSes use virtual memory and dynamic memory APIsGet to grips with dynamic memory issues and effectively debug themLearn key concepts and powerful system APIs related to process managementEffectively perform file IO and use signaling and timersDeeply understand multithreading concepts, pthreads APIs, synchronization and schedulingWho this book is for Hands-On System Programming with Linux is for Linux system engineers, programmers, or anyone who wants to go beyond using an API set to understanding the theoretical underpinnings and concepts behind powerful Linux system programming APIs. To get the most out of this book, you should be familiar with Linux at the user-level logging in, using shell via the command line interface, the ability to use tools such as find, grep, and sort. Working knowledge of the C programming language is required. No prior experience with Linux systems programming is assumed.

Providing an overview of the Solaris and POSIX multithreading architectures, this book explains threads at a level that is completely accessible to programmers and system architects with no previous knowledge of threads. It covers the business and technical benefits of threaded programs, along with discussions of third party software that is threaded, pointing out the benefits. It also describes the design of the Solaris MT API, with references to distinctions in POSIX, contains a set of example programs which illustrate the usage of the Solaris and POSIX APIs, and explains the use of programming tools: Thread Analyzer, LockLint, LoopTool and Debugger.