Sender: nate AT cartsys DOT com
Message-ID: <35F7402B.A36C0C32@cartsys.com>
Date: Wed, 09 Sep 1998 19:57:47 -0700
From: Nate Eldredge <nate AT cartsys DOT com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
To: Baumans <baumans AT ptdprolog DOT net>
CC: djgpp AT delorie DOT com
Subject: Re: Pthreads
References: <CejJ1.2787$Mh1 DOT 7732152 AT nnrp1 DOT ptd DOT net>
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Baumans wrote:
> 
> What are pthreads?How do you use them?

As I understand it, it's an API to allow multitasking within a process. 
This can be helpful for identifying which parts of a program can run
independently, and also can allow multiprocessor machines to be used
effectively.  I haven't used pthreads, though I have looked at some
documentation.  I believe that one begins by `creating' a thread which
runs a particular function, and `joining' it again later, when it cannot
run asynchronously any longer.  There are other complications with
signals, locks, etc, etc.

IMHO, pthreads is unlikely to be productive for a DJGPP-only app (there
is no multiprocessing support in any version of DOS that I know of),
though the DJGPP implementation could be helpful for porting apps which
use it.
-- 

Nate Eldredge
nate AT cartsys DOT com