How do I create threads using the pthreads library?

How do I create threads using the pthreads library?

To create threads using the pthreads library in C, you can use the pthread_create function. It takes four parameters: a pointer to a thread identifier, thread attributes, a function to execute, and an argument to pass to that function.

Can you show me a simple code example?

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;
}

What does pthread_join do?

pthread_join is used to wait for a thread to finish its execution. 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, which can lead to resource leaks, and not handling thread synchronization properly, which can cause race conditions.