Light-weight Threads

1
Threads
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2
Threads Overview

• A thread is an execution.
• All programs have at least one thread of
  execution control.
• Java supports additional multiple, light-weight
  threads of execution.
• Running two separate programs at the same time is
  an example of a heavy-weight threads, each is a
  single program in execution, the internal
  environments of other heavy-weight threads are
  isolated from one another.
• A heavy-weight program thread can have multiple
  light-weight threads, each being switched to
  execute for a time then suspended while another
  thread executes.
• The prime distinction between heavy and light
  weight threads are that light threads share a
  portion of a common environment where
  heavy-weight threads are isolated.
• When light-weight threads are switched to allow
  one to execute there is less individual thread
  information to store and switch since much is
  common to all.

3
Thread Comparison
Execute one heavy thread.
Execute heavy and light thread.
public class one public static void
main(String args) new two()
System.out.println("heavy one")
class two implements Runnable public
two() new Thread(this).start()
public void run() System.out.println(
"light two")
public class one public static void
main(String args) System.out.println(h
eavy one")
Runnable
two
4
Java thread support

• The key advantages of Java thread support are
• communication between threads is relatively
  simple
• inexpensive in execution since light-weight, not
  necessary to save the entire program state when
  switching between threads
• part of language, allows a program to handle
  multiple, concurrent operations in an operating
  system platform independent fashion.
• Java on Windows 95/98/2000/XP and other
  preemptive operating systems ensure that all
  threads will get to execute occasionally by
  preempting thread execution (stopping the
  currently executing thread and running another)
  but this does not ensure that threads execute in
  any particular order.

5
Thread Execution

1. public class one
3. public static void main(String args)
5. new two()
6. System.out.println("heavy one")
10. class two implements Runnable
12. public two()
14. new Thread(this).start()
16. public void run()
18. System.out.println("light two")

• Line 5 creates new two object.
• Line 14 creates new Thread object.
• Line 14 calls start() which calls run()and
  returns immediately.
• Line 19 run()completes execution but does not
  return.
• Possible execution sequences
• 5, 14, 6, 18
• 5, 14, 18, 6

Runnable
two run()
6
A Single Heavy-Weight Thread

• We'll use a bouncing ball (number) to illustrate
  differences in multi-threaded execution.
• Our thread example uses a single heavy weight
  thread to bounce a single ball off the sides of
  the display window.
• The Ball class implements the ball bouncing,
  since a single thread is used, only one ball can
  be bounced at a time. The Ball class implements
  two public methods
• Ball() - constructs a Ball object.
• move() - moves a Ball a predefined distance in
  the current direction and changes direction to a
  complementary angle if a wall is encountered.
• Try it.

7
A Single Heavy-Weight Thread

• Only one thread is running. The key part of the
  program is
• public void run()
• for (int i 1 i lt 1000 i)
• move()
• try Thread.sleep(10) catch(Exception e)
  
• invoked once as a normal function call from
  onClick( ) function by clicking the Toss button.
  The button click
• executes the run() method
• the ball is moved ( move is inherited from the
  Ball class),
• the iteration in run() moves the ball
• Thread.sleep(10) puts the main, heavy weight
  thread to sleep for at least 10 milliseconds
  giving up the CPU allowing other threads to run.
• With 1000 iterations (each sleeping 10
  milliseconds), the ball moves for at least 10
  seconds.

8
Exercise 1

1. public class SingleThread extends UserInterface
2. public SingleThread() addButton("Toss")
3. public void onClick(char c)
4. OneThread ot new OneThread(this)
5. ot.run()
8. class OneThread extends Ball
9. public OneThread(UserInterface ui)
10. super(ui)
12. public void run()
13. for (int i 1 i lt 1000 i)
14. move()
15. try Thread.sleep(10) catch(Exception e)
    

• Exercise 1
• List in order line(s) executed when Toss button
  is clicked.
• How many threads execute?

Ball
SingleThread
OneThread
9
Multiple Light-Weight Threads

• With only minor changes to the previous example,
  multiple light-weight threads can support many
  simultaneously bouncing balls. Key changes are
• Implement the Runnable class for light weight
  threads.
• Extend OneThread class to start a new thread for
  each ball constructed when Toss clicked.
• class MultiThread extends OneThread implements
  Runnable
• public MultiThread(UserInterface ui)
• super(ui)
• new Thread(this).start()
• Try it.

Ball move()
OneThread run()
Runnable
MultiThread
10
Runnable interface
Ball move()
OneThread run()

• MultiThread subclass of OneThread and Runnable
• class MultiThread extends OneThread
  implements Runnable
• implements Runnable contract to implement method
  definition
• public void run()
• Thread constructed by new Thread(this)
• run() invoked by start()
• start() starts a thread and returns immediately
  
• new Thread(this).start() constructs and starts a
  new thread.
• Thread.sleep(10) causes a thread to give up the
  CPU.

Runnable
MultiThread
11
Multiple Threads Exercise 2

1. public class Example extends UserInterface
2. public Example()
3. addButton("Toss")
5. public void onClick(char c)
6. MultiThread mt new MultiThread(this)
9. class MultiThread extends OneThread
   implements Runnable
10. public MultiThread(UserInterface ui)
11. super(ui)
12. new Thread(this).start()

Example run run

1. Where is the run() method?
2. List the lines executed when Toss is clicked the
   first time. See next slide.
3. What happens to a thread at the end of the run( )
   method?
4. What does new Thread(this).start( ) do, since you
   can press Toss repeatedly and another ball starts
   bouncing?

12
Multiple Threads

1. public class Example extends UserInterface
2. public Example()
3. addButton("Toss")
5. public void onClick(char c)
6. MultiThread mt new MultiThread(this)
9. class MultiThread extends OneThread implements
   Runnable
10. public MultiThread(UserInterface ui)
11. super(ui)
12. new Thread(this).start()
15. class OneThread extends Ball
16. public OneThread(UserInterface ui)
17. super(ui)
19. public void run()

Ball move()
OneThread run()
Runnable
MultiThread
13
Execution Non-deterministic
4 Executions gtjava ST 2 1 3 4 gtjava ST 2 1 3 4 gt
java ST 1 3 2 4 gt java ST 1 2 4 3

1. class ST
2. public static void main(String args)
3. new Simple(1)
4. new Simple(2)
5. new Simple(3)
6. new Simple(4)
8. class Simple implements Runnable
9. int n
10. Simple(int n)
11. this.n n
12. new Thread(this).start()
14. public void run()
15. try Thread.sleep(10)
16. catch(Exception e)

14
Array of Threads
A thread is an object that can be stored in any
data structure.

• class AT
• public static void main(String args)
• Simple sa new Simple10
• for (int i0 ilt10 i) sa i new Simple(
  i )
• class Simple implements Runnable
• int n
• Simple(int n)
• this.n n
• new Thread(this).start()
• public void run()
• try Thread.sleep(10) catch(Exception e)
  
• System.out.print ( n )

3 Executions gtjava AT 0123456897 gt java
AT 0132547698 gtjava AT 1204365789
15
Array of Greedy Threads

• Threads naturally run asynchronously to one
  another with no cooperation.
• Only one thread executes at a time on the CPU
• Race conditions can develop as multiple threads
  attempt to occupy the CPU exclusively
• Example of many threads racing to complete
• Only significant changes are
• 10 threads started without artificial delay.
• No artificial delay introduced through the
  Thread.sleep(10)
• Try it.

16
Greedy Threads Exercise 3

1. public class ArrayOfGreedyThreads extends
   UserInterface
2. public ArrayOfGreedyThreads()
   addButton("Toss")
3. public void onClick(char c)
4. GreedyThread gt new GreedyThread10
5. for(int i0ilt10i)
6. gti new GreedyThread(this)
9. class GreedyThread extends Greedy
10. implements Runnable
11. public GreedyThread(UserInterface ui)
12. super(ui)
13. new Thread(this).start()
16. class Greedy extends Ball
17. public Greedy (UserInterface ui)

Exercise 3 What sequence of line(s) are executed
when Toss is clicked (note for statements in
onClick() and run() methods)?
17
Thread Race
Threads compete for the CPU. Below, no thread is
able to complete before another obtains the CPU.

• class Race
• public static void main(String args)
• new Simple("A") new Simple("B")
• for (int i1 ilt5 i)
• System.out.println("main " i)
• class Simple implements Runnable
• String name
• Simple(String name)
• this.name name
• new Thread(this).start()
• public void run()
• for (int i1 ilt5 i)
• System.out.println( name" "i ) try
  Thread.sleep(10)
• catch(Exception e)

Threaded Execution main 1 B 1 A 1 main 2 B 2 A
2 B 3 A 3 main 3 B 4 A 4 B 5 main 4 A 5 main 5
Sequential Execution A 1A 2A 3A 4A 5B 1 B
2 B 3 B 4 B 5 main 1 main 2 main 3 main 4 main 5
18
Thread Race Conditions

• Threads compete for execution time
• Scheduled for execution non-deterministically
  (i.e. order of execution is not predetermined).
• Unless thread execution completes, the thread is
  suspended and another thread given the CPU
• Threads can execute independently
• Race conditions occur when two or more threads
  interfere with other threads results.
• Example illustrates how thread execution is
  arbitrary suspended by the run time system.
• Executing the example produces differences in
  printed results.
• Try it.

19
Race Output

• There are 3 threads
• ABrace in onClick()
• A
• B
• Note the far right column
• The threads a racing each other to execute

20
Thread Race Conditions Exercise 4
public class ABrace extends UserInterface
public ABrace() addButton("Start")
addButton("Clear") public void init()
Display.initialize(this) public void
onClick(char c) Race A, B switch(c)
case 'S' Display.heading(30) A new
Race("A") B new Race("B") for
(int i1 ilt5 i) Display.println("onCl
ick "i) break case 'C'
Display.clear() class Race
implements Runnable String name public
Race( String name ) this.name name
new Thread(this).start() public void
run() for (int i1 ilt5 i)
Display.println(name ""i)

• Exercise 4
• Execute the program several times. 
• How many threads are executing? Explain how you
  know.
• Can the results of 5 executions be identical?
  Explain.

21
Synchronized Threads

• Thread execution can be
• independent of other threads (i.e. parallel or
  asynchronous execution)
• dependent (i.e. serialized or synchronous
  execution) where one thread executes to the
  exclusion of the other threads
• Thread execution is controlled in Java using the
  synchronized statement which limits execution to
  a single thread.
• The synchronization mechanism used by Java is
  termed a monitor (versus a semaphore, task, or
  other mechanism)
• A monitor allows only one thread to have access
  to an object at a time.
• The keyword synchronized defines a statement or
  method where one thread at a time has exclusive
  access to the object.

22
Race

1. class RT
2. public static void main(String args)
3. new Racer(1)
4. new Racer(2)
5. new Racer(3)
6. new Racer(4)
9. class Racer implements Runnable
10. int n
11. Racer(int n)
12. this.n n
13. new Thread(this).start()
15. public void run()
16. System.out.print( "" n )
17. try Thread.sleep(10)

gtjava RT 12341 3 2 4 gtjava
RT 12344 3 1 2 gtjava RT 13242 1 3
4
23
Non-cooperating Synchronized Example

1. class ST
2. public static void main(String args)
3. new Racer(1)
4. new Racer(2)
5. new Racer(3)
6. new Racer(4)
9. class Racer implements Runnable
10. static String commoncommon
11. int n
12. Racer(int n)
13. this.n n
14. new Thread(this).start()
16. public void run()
17. synchronized( common )
18. System.out.print( "" n )
19. try Thread.sleep(10)

gtjava ST C\d 11 22 44 33 gtjava
ST 11 33 22 44
24
Example

• In the example above the object common is
  accessible to the threads 1, 2, 3 and 4.
• In the run method access to common is
  synchronized so that only one thread can execute
  the code block
• class Racer implements Runnable
• static String commoncommon
• int n
• public void run()
• synchronized( common )

System.out.print( "" n ) try
Thread.sleep(10) catch(Exception e)
System.out.println( n " )
25
Example

• In the example below the object common is
  accessible to the two threads A and B.
• In the run method, access to common is
  synchronized so that only one thread can execute
  the code block
• public void run()
• synchronized(common)
• for (int i1 ilt5 i)
• Display.println(name ""i)

26
Synchronized Results

• Thread A or B will have exclusive access to
  synchronized area of run()
• The output shows that once thread A or B enters
  the synchronized area, the other will not enter
• The ABsynchRace thread in onClick() is not
  synchronized.
• Try it.

27
Synchronized Threads Exercise 5
public class ABsynchRace extends UserInterface
public void onClick(char c)
SynchRace A, B String common "common"
switch(c) case 'S' A
new SynchRace("A", common) B new
SynchRace("B", common) for (int i1
ilt5 i) Display.println("onClick
"i) break case 'C'
Display.clear()
28
Synchronized Threads Exercise 5
class SynchRace implements Runnable String
name String common public SynchRace(String
name, String common ) this.name name
this.common common new
Thread(this).start() public void run()
synchronized(common) for (int i1
ilt5 i) Display.println(name ""i)

• Exercise 5
• How does execution differ from the unsynchronized
  version?
• What effect does the synchronized construct
  produce?
• How can the printing in onClick( ) be
  synchronized?
• What would be an example of unexpected results?

29
Non-Cooperating Threads

• Example of three independent threads
• the main heavy-weight
• Producer that puts onto a common queue
• Consumer that gets from the common queue
• Consumer thread may get from the queue before the
  Producer thread puts onto the queue
• Any thread execution may be preempted at any time
• No guarantee a put or get finished before another
  thread runs
• Most obvious when the printed output is
  intermixed as in
• put 1 get0 rather than
• put 1 get 0
• Try it.

30
Non-Cooperating Threads

• put and get output intermixed, one not completed
  before other starts
• Need synchronized access to queue object
• Even worse, get executed when queue is empty
• Need to force get execution to wait when queue is
  empty

31
Exercise 6

• The Producer and Consumer are both threads, each
  having a run( ) method. Starting in the run( ) of
  each, list the sequence of lines executed that
  would print             
• put 1get0
• Again, starting in the run( ) of each thread,
  list the sequence that would print     get-1
  put 0    

1. public class ProducerConsumer extends
   UserInterface
2. public void onClick(char c)
3. switch(c)
4. case 'S' Q q new Q( )
5. new Consumer(q)
6. new Producer(q)
7. break
8. case 'C' Display.clear()
12. class Q
13. int n 0
14. void put()
15. n n 1
16. Display.print("put " n)
17. Display.println("")

1. class Producer extends Thread
2. Q q
3. Producer( Q q )
4. this.q q
5. new Thread(this).start()
7. public void run()
8. for (int i1 ilt10 i)
9. q.put() // Produce
12. class Consumer extends Thread
13. Q q
14. Consumer( Q q )
15. this.q q
16. new Thread(this).start()
18. public void run()

32
Unsynchronized Queue

• public class ProducerConsumer extends
  UserInterface
• public void onClick(char c)
• switch(c)
• case 'S' Q q new Q( )
• new Consumer(q)
• new Producer(q)
• break
• case 'C' Display.clear()
• class Q
• int n 0
• void put()
• n n 1
• Display.print("put " n)
  Display.println("")
• void get()

Producer q
Q
Consumer q
33
Producer Consumer

1. class Producer extends Thread
2. Q q
3. Producer( Q q )
4. this.q q
5. new Thread(this).start()
7. public void run()
8. for (int i1 ilt10 i) q.put() //
   Produce
11. class Consumer extends Thread
12. Q q
13. Consumer( Q q )
14. this.q q
15. new Thread(this).start()
17. public void run()
18. for (int i1 ilt10 i) q.get() //
    Consume

Producer q
Q
Consumer q
34
Monitors - Synchronized Producer Consumer

• Threads interact when simultaneously accessing
  common resource.
• Java supports a control mechanism called a
  monitor that allows only one thread at a time to
  execute a synchronized method on an object.
• By adding synchronized to methods, a thread
  entering such a method has exclusive access to
  that object in synchronized class methods.
• When a synchronized method completes, other
  threads may enter.
• For a queue object, the synchronized put and get
  method ensures either completes before another
  thread enters either, for an object.
• With two queue objects, one thread could have
  access to one queue object while another thread
  accessed the other queue object.
• This does not ensure that something has been put
  into the queue before a thread attempts to get
  it, that is another problem.
• Beyond cosmetics, the only change is the addition
  of
• synchronized void put( ) synchronized void
  get( )
• Try it

35
Monitor Behavior

• Monitor controls access to a synchronized object.
• Monitor allows only one thread to access object
  all other threads are blocked.
• When thread exits synchronized method other
  threads can access synchronized object.
• Blocked threads are automatically allowed to
  attempt to access synchronized object again.
• Threads can still access object through
  unsynchronized methods.
• Methods are not synchronized, objects are.
• No conflict when threads access different objects.

36
Monitor

• class Q
• int n 0
• synchronized void put( )
• n n 1
• Display.print("put " n)
• Display.println("")
• synchronized void get( )
• n n - 1
• Display.print("get " n)
• Display.println("")
• Producer p new Producer(q)
• q.put()
• Consumer c new Consumer(q)

Producer q
Q
Consumer q
Entered
Producer using q
Q
Consumer blocked for q
Consumer blocked when common Q object in use by
Producer
37
Synchronized Queue

1. class Q
2. int n 0
3. synchronized void put( )
4. n n 1
5. Display.print("put " n)
6. Display.println("")
8. synchronized void get( )
9. n n - 1
10. Display.print("get " n)
11. Display.println("")

• Exercise 7
• Only one thread executes any synchronized method
  on a single object. Assume Consumer thread is
  executing Line 9 when Producer thread executes
  Line 3 list the lines then executed in the
  above.
• Is synchronizing the get method but not the put
  method sufficient to prevent intermixed output?
• Are there still problems between the Consumer and
  Producer?

38
wait, notify and notifyAll

• wait suspends thread until notify or notifyAll
  executed by another thread
• notify sends signal to one waiting thread
• Which thread notified is non-deterministic
• notifyAll sends signal to all waiting threads
• Only one notified thread can execute any
  synchronized method on an object at a time
• A notified thread continues from point where wait
  executed
• Thread enters a dead state when run completes
• The monitor controls access to a synchronized
  object
• No conflict when threads access different objects

39
Monitor Behavior

• Monitor controls access to synchronized object.
• Difference between threads blocked because
  monitor busy with another thread and threads that
  explicitly called wait
• When synchronized method completes, blocked
  threads automatically can re-attempt object
  access
• Threads that called wait can only proceed by
  another thread calling notify or notifyAll
• Try it

40
Monitor

• class Q
• int n 0
• synchronized void put( )
• n n 1
• Display.print("put" n)
• Display.println("")
• notify( )
• synchronized void get( )
• while ( n0 )
• try wait()
• catch (Exception e)
• n n - 1
• Display.print("get " n)
• Display.println("")
• notify( )

1. Consumer enters get.
2. Consumer places itself on wait.
3. Producer enters put.
4. Producer sends notify().
5. Consumer released from wait.

Producer using q
Q
Consumer waits for q
Consumer waits when n0
41
Cooperating Producer Consumer

1. class Q
2. int n 0
3. synchronized void put( )
4. n n 1
5. Display.print("put " n)
6. Display.println("")
7. notify( )
9. synchronized void get( )
10. while ( n0 )
11. try wait()
12. catch (Exception e)
14. n n - 1
15. Display.print("get " n)
16. Display.println("")
17. notify( )

• wait() suspends thread until notify() executed
  by another thread
• notify( ) sends signal to waiting thread
• Continues from point where wait() executed.

• Exercise 8
• while ( n0 ) is needed. Why?
• What happens without line 7?
• Without line 17?

42
Cooperating Producer Consumer Busy Wait

1. class Q
2. int n 0
3. synchronized void put( )
4. n n 1
5. Display.print("put " n)
6. Display.println("")
9. synchronized void get( )
10. while ( n0 )
14. n n - 1
15. Display.print("get " n)
16. Display.println("")

Exercise 8 3. Line 17 not needed.

• Exercise 9
• This seems to prevent consuming before producing.
  How?
• What is the problem?

43
Multiple inheritance Thread class versus
Runnable interface

• class MultiThread extends OneThread
  implements Runnable
• At the start of our thread discussion we had a
  class OneThread that bounced a one ball around
  the screen. To bounce lots of balls we needed a
  class just like OneThread but that also supported
  threads.
• We could rework OneThread to do threads but
  better solution is to inherit from OneThread to
  bounce Balls, and a thread class multiple
  inheritance.
• Java does not directly support multiple
  inheritance.
• Java solution is interface.
• Class MultiThread is a subclass of Thread by
  implementing Runnable.
• Implementing Runnable requires that class
  MultiThread must define method public void
  run()
• Thread class implements Runnable.

44
Examples Thread and Runnable
public class example public static void
main(String args) new Simple()
class Simple implements Runnable public
Simple() new Thread(this).start()
public void run()
System.out.println("Simple")
A simple example illustrates the syntactic
differences between implementing Runnable versus
inheriting Thread. Thread inheritance is simpler
to use but prohibits other inheritance. Runnable
allows inheritance (and implementing other
interfaces) but is a little more
complicated. Both require a method public void
run()
public class example public static void
main(String args) new Simple().start()
class Simple extends Thread
public void run() System.out.println("Simp
le")
45
Deadlock

• Deadlock occurs when one thread cannot complete.
• One example is deadly embrace (or circular wait)
  where two threads each hold a resource required
  by the other.
• t1 and t2 threads require both resources r1 and
  r2 to complete.
• t1 thread holds r1 resource t2 thread holds r2
  resource.
• t1 and t2 both deadlocked.

r2
t1
r1
t2
46
Deadlock

• t1,t2,t3, t4 Execute synchronized method on
  common object.
• t1 executes wait()
• t3, t4 blocked while t2 holds object.
• notify() not executed.
• t1 never completes.

t3 t4
Blocked
object
t2
Wait list
t1
47
Deadlock Exercise 9

1. waitObject wo new waitObject()
2. for(int i0ilt10i) new ExampleThread( wo )
3. class ExampleThread extends Thread
4. waitObject wo
5. ExampleThread( waitObject wo )
6. this.wo wo
7. new Thread(this).start()
9. public void run()
10. wo.exit()
11. wo.enter()
14. class waitObject
15. synchronized void enter( )
16. System.out.println("enter")
17. notify( )

• This always deadlocks. Why?
• Changing to the following still deadlocks. Why?
• public void run()
• wo.enter()
• wo.exit()
• Would notify() at line 22 prevent deadlock?
  notifyAll()?

48
Multi-thread Summary

• Thread creation - Extend Thread class or
  implement Runnable interface
• Serialization Monitor automatically limits
  execution of synchronized method on a shared
  object to one thread
• Basic thread control
• Wait Places a thread on wait list for object.
• Notify Releases an arbitrary thread from wait
  list for object.
• NotifyAll Releases all threads from wait list
  for object.
• Sleep Suspends thread execution for a minimum
  specified time.