When should I use thread-local variables?

When should I use thread-local variables in my application?

Thread-local variables are useful when you need to maintain data that is specific to a thread, such as user sessions or request data.

Can you give me an example of when they would be beneficial?

Sure! If you're building a web server, you might use thread-local variables to store user authentication information for each request.

Are there any downsides to using them?

Yes, overusing thread-local variables can lead to memory leaks if not managed properly, as they persist for the lifetime of the thread.

How do I clean up thread-local variables?

You can clean them up by explicitly setting them to null when they are no longer needed, especially in long-running threads.