What is the difference between a thread pool and a single thread?

What is the difference between a thread pool and a single thread?

A thread pool is a collection of pre-initialized threads that can be reused for executing tasks, while a single thread executes tasks one at a time.

Why would I use a thread pool instead of just creating new threads?

Using a thread pool reduces the overhead of thread creation and destruction, leading to better performance, especially for short-lived tasks.

Are there any downsides to using a thread pool?

Yes, if the thread pool is too small, it can lead to task queuing and increased wait times. Conversely, if it's too large, it can waste resources.

Can you give me an example of when to use a thread pool?

A thread pool is ideal for handling multiple incoming requests in a web server, where tasks can be processed concurrently without the overhead of creating new threads.