3thread

3thread is a lightweight, cross-platform concurrency framework designed around a tri-thread execution model. It introduces three thread roles: a scheduler that coordinates tasks, a pool of worker threads for CPU-bound work, and dedicated I/O threads that handle asynchronous input/output. The goal is to simplify parallel programming by providing a task-based API with futures and message channels, while limiting cross-thread contention.

The core idea is to separate concerns: the scheduler distributes work; workers execute tasks; I/O threads integrate asynchronous operations with the rest of the system. Tasks are submitted to a central queue and may carry dependencies. A work-stealing strategy helps balance load among workers. Communication uses non-blocking channels, and results are retrieved via futures or promises. The framework supports cancellation, timeouts, progress notifications, and lightweight synchronization primitives, aiming to minimize global locks and contention.

In terms of language bindings, 3thread provides a C++-style interface with Task, Future, and Channel abstractions; bindings exist for Rust and Python as wrappers, enabling use from multiple ecosystems. The API emphasizes composability, with combinators for task chaining and streams for ongoing data flows. The runtime preserves portability by relying on platform-specific I/O multiplexing backends.

3thread is available under a permissive license and has a modest ecosystem of sample projects and plugins. It is used primarily in academic demonstrations and by developers exploring alternative concurrency models. See also thread pool, asynchronous programming, and parallel computing concepts.