Introduction to Multithreading in Java

Multithreading in Java allows a program to perform multiple tasks concurrently, improving performance and responsiveness. In this tutorial, we will introduce the concept of multithreading in Java and provide code examples for beginners.

What is Multithreading?

Multithreading is a programming concept where multiple threads of execution run independently within a single program. Each thread represents a separate flow of control, allowing the program to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.

Creating a Thread in Java

In Java, a thread can be created by extending the Thread class or implementing the Runnable interface. Here's an example of creating a thread by extending the Thread class:

public class MyThread extends Thread {
    public void run() {
        // Thread logic goes here
    }
}

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        MyThread thread = new MyThread();
        thread.start(); // Start the thread
    }
}

And here's an example of creating a thread by implementing the Runnable interface:

public class MyRunnable implements Runnable {
    public void run() {
        // Thread logic goes here
    }
}

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        MyRunnable myRunnable = new MyRunnable();
        Thread thread = new Thread(myRunnable);
        thread.start(); // Start the thread
    }
}

Synchronizing Threads

When multiple threads access shared resources, synchronization is necessary to prevent data corruption. In Java, synchronization can be achieved using the synchronized keyword or by using locks. Here's an example using the synchronized keyword:

public class SharedResource {
    private int count = 0;

    public synchronized void increment() {
        count++;
    }
}

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        SharedResource sharedResource = new SharedResource();

        // Create multiple threads to increment the count
    }
}

Conclusion

Multithreading in Java is a powerful feature that allows programmers to write efficient and responsive applications. By creating and managing multiple threads, developers can take advantage of parallel processing to improve program performance. In this tutorial, we provided an introduction to multithreading in Java and presented code examples for beginners to help them get started with implementing threads in their programs.