How do I use pthreads in C?

How do I use pthreads in C?

To use pthreads in C, you need to include the pthread.h header and link with the -lpthread flag during compilation.

Can you give me a simple example of creating a thread?

Sure! Here's a basic example:

#include <pthread.h>
#include <stdio.h>

void* myThreadFun(void* vargp) {
    printf("Hello from thread!\n");
    return NULL;
}

int main() {
    pthread_t thread_id;
    pthread_create(&thread_id, NULL, myThreadFun, NULL);
    pthread_join(thread_id, NULL);
    return 0;
}

This creates a thread that runs the myThreadFun function.

What does pthread_join do?

pthread_join is used to wait for a thread to finish executing. It blocks the calling thread until the specified thread terminates.

Are there any common pitfalls when using pthreads?

Yes, common pitfalls include forgetting to join threads, race conditions, and not properly initializing mutexes.