Multithreading and Concurrency in Java
Multithreading and concurrency are essential concepts in Java that allow developers to build high-performance, responsive, and efficient applications. From web servers to real-time systems, these features help Java applications make better use of system resources and perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
What is Multithreading?
Multithreading is the process of executing two or more threads concurrently within a single program. A thread is the smallest unit of execution in a program. By using multiple threads, a Java program can perform several tasks at the same time.
For example, while one thread handles user input, another can perform background calculations—making the application faster and more responsive.
Creating Threads in Java
There are two main ways to create threads:
Extending the Thread class
class MyThread extends Thread {
public void run() {
System.out.println("Thread is running");
}
}
Implementing the Runnable interface
class MyRunnable implements Runnable {
public void run() {
System.out.println("Runnable thread is running");
}
}
To start a thread:
Thread t = new Thread(new MyRunnable());
t.start();
What is Concurrency?
Concurrency means multiple tasks can be in progress at the same time. In Java, concurrency is supported through the java.util.concurrent package, which provides utilities like:
ExecutorService: Manages thread pools
Callable and Future: For tasks that return results
Locks and Semaphores: For controlling access to shared resources
Thread Lifecycle
A thread in Java has the following states:
New – Created but not started
Runnable – Ready to run
Running – Actively executing
Blocked/Waiting – Waiting for resources or notification
Terminated – Execution completed
Synchronization in Java
When multiple threads access shared resources, race conditions or inconsistent data can occur. Java provides synchronization using the synchronized keyword to ensure thread safety.
Example:
synchronized void increment() {
count++;
}
Conclusion
Multithreading and concurrency in Java help improve performance and scalability. By understanding how to create and manage threads, and by using concurrency utilities wisely, you can build faster and more efficient applications. However, with great power comes complexity—so always test and debug multithreaded code carefully to avoid potential pitfalls like deadlocks and data corruption.
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