flertråd

Flertråd, also known as multithreading, is a concept in computer science where a single process can have multiple threads of execution. A thread is the smallest unit of a process that can be scheduled by an operating system. In a multithreaded application, these threads can run concurrently, meaning they can appear to execute at the same time, or in parallel, meaning they truly execute simultaneously on different processor cores.

The primary advantage of multithreading is improved performance and responsiveness. By dividing tasks into multiple threads, a program can perform several operations simultaneously. For example, a web browser can use one thread to display a downloaded image while another thread fetches the next image from the server. This prevents the user interface from freezing during download operations.

Multithreading can also lead to more efficient use of system resources. While a single-threaded process might be blocked waiting for an I/O operation, a multithreaded process can continue executing other threads. However, managing multiple threads introduces complexity. Developers must carefully handle synchronization between threads to prevent race conditions, where the outcome of an operation depends on the unpredictable timing of thread execution. Common synchronization mechanisms include mutexes, semaphores, and monitors.

In summary, flertråd allows a single process to execute multiple parts of its code concurrently, leading to potential gains in performance and responsiveness, but also requiring careful management of shared resources to avoid errors.