What are pthreads and how do I use them in C?

What are pthreads and how do I use them in C?

Pthreads, or POSIX threads, are a standard for multi-threading in C. They allow concurrent execution of code.

Can you give me a simple example of using pthreads?

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 myThreadFun.

What do I need to compile a program using pthreads?

You need to link the pthread library when compiling. Use -lpthread with gcc:

gcc myprogram.c -o myprogram -lpthread

Are there any common pitfalls when using pthreads?

Yes, common pitfalls include race conditions, deadlocks, and not properly joining threads. Always ensure threads are synchronized.