stdthread

std::thread is the C++ standard library facility for representing a thread of execution. Declared in the <thread> header, it provides the primary means to start new concurrent work in a C++ program. A thread is created by constructing a std::thread with a callable object and its arguments; the callable begins executing in a new thread of control immediately.

The class is non-copyable but movable, and default-constructed instances do not correspond to an active thread. A thread object owns the thread for which it was started; ownership can be transferred by moving the object, but it cannot be copied.

Key member functions include join, detach, joinable, and get_id. join blocks the calling thread until the spawned thread completes; detach allows the thread to continue independently after the std::thread object is destroyed, after which the thread cannot be joined. joinable reports whether the thread is still associated with a joinable thread. get_id returns an identifier for the thread; hardware_concurrency() provides a hint about the number of hardware threads available on the system and may return 0 if not detectable. The native_handle() member provides access to the platform-specific thread handle.

Lifecycle and exceptions: If a joinable std::thread object is destroyed, the program calls std::terminate. The thread function itself should handle exceptions, as an uncaught exception leads to termination of the thread (and potentially the whole program).

Usage notes: std::thread works with synchronization primitives such as mutexes and condition variables to coordinate shared data. For safety, ensure proper join or detach semantics, avoid data races, and consider using higher-level abstractions like std::async or thread pools when appropriate.