What is the difference between an executor and a thread pool?

What is the difference between an executor and a thread pool?

An executor is an interface that provides a way to manage and control the execution of tasks, while a thread pool is a collection of pre-initialized threads that can be reused to execute tasks.

Can you explain how a thread pool works?

Sure! A thread pool maintains a set of worker threads that are ready to execute tasks. When a task is submitted, it is assigned to an available thread in the pool, which executes it. This reduces the overhead of creating and destroying threads for each task.

What are the advantages of using a thread pool?

Using a thread pool can improve performance by reducing the overhead of thread creation, managing resources more efficiently, and allowing for better control over the number of concurrent tasks.

Are there any downsides to using a thread pool?

Yes, potential downsides include complexity in managing the pool, the risk of thread starvation if tasks are not managed properly, and the possibility of resource contention if too many tasks are executed simultaneously.