Threads

 Processes and Threads

 Types of Threads

 Multicore and Multithreading

 Concepts of a Process

Resource Ownership Process Execution

OS
P1 R1

P2 R2
P1 P2 P3

Resources defined in the process. States and dispatch processes.

For instance, the allocation of I/O Unit of dispatching.
devices.

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 Process vs. Threads
• Process
• An abstraction of a running program.
• A process also has an independent
resource.
• Threads
• refers to a subset of a process. These
are mini-processes which is conjoined
THREADS
with other mini-process to a shared
resource.

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 Word Processor

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 Word Processor
One example of the usage of threads are in a word processor program wherein this big
blue circle refers to a specific process and those three squiggly lines represent threads.
For example, we are typing in a word processor program.
• When we type characters, each character that is tracked in an Input Device (keyboard) represents
one thread.
• Each character that is shown in the monitor represents another thread.
• when there is an auto-save feature in the software a data is stored in the secondary storage device
which is represented as another thread.
There is a necessity of implementing threads nowadays. We are benefiting from it that
processes would be executing more efficient and faster with less time allotted
processing.

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 Process vs. Threads

R1 P1 P1-T1
P2-T3 P1

P1-T3 T1 T3
R2 P2 T2
P2-T2

PA-PB
P3
P2
R3
T1 T3
PR-PB T2

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 Process vs. Threads
From the figures, P is represented as a process while T is
represented for a thread. In each given process it has its own
independent resource. It means to say that if P1 is holding
only resource intended for P1, P2 cannot get the resource
unless P1 is finished executing a process.

Form the other figure, two processes with multiple threads

are sharing over a resource. Threads are easier to be
executed and dispatched.

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 Key benefits of threads
It takes far less time to create a new thread in an
existing process than to create a brand-new process.

It takes less time to terminate a thread than a

process.

It takes less time to switch between two threads within

the same process than to switch between processes.

Threads enhance efficiency in communication between

different executing programs.

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 Two aspects of Thread Functionality
• Thread States

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Spawn Block

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d_process.svg/1200px-Multithreaded_process.svg.png

Finish Unblock
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 Thread Functionality
• Thread States
Spawn: When a new process is spawned, a thread for that process is also
spawned. Subsequently, a thread within a process may spawn another thread
within the same process, providing an instruction pointer and arguments for
the new thread. The new thread is provided with its own register context and
stack space and placed on the ready queue.

Block: When a thread needs to wait for an event, it will block (saving its user
registers, program counter, and stack pointers). The processor may now turn
to the execution of another ready thread in the same or a different process.

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 Thread Functionality
• Thread States
Unblock: When the event for which a thread is blocked occurs, the thread is
moved to the Ready queue.

Finish: When a thread completes, its register context and stacks are
deallocated.

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 Thread Functionality
• Thread Synchronization
P1-T1
P2-T3 P1

P1-T3 T1 T3
T2
P2-T2

PA-PB
P2

T1 T3
PR-PB T2

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 Thread Functionality
• Thread Synchronization
All of the threads of a process share the same address space and other
resources, such as open files.

Any alteration of a resource by one thread affects the environment of the

other threads in the same process.

It is therefore necessary to synchronize the activities of the various threads so

that they do not interfere with each other or corrupt data structures.

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 Design Issues on Threads
• OS Dependent https://img00.deviantart.net/22c5/i/2010/085/c/4/i_love_apple_wallpaper_by_xlivr.jpg

• System Call Blocking

• Resource Sharing

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 Design Issues on Threads
• OS Dependent
threads rely heavily on the Operating System through dispatched processes in the
processing queue.

• System Call Blocking

One system call, if executed, can disrupt threads in execution, blocking all
possibility. E.g. interrupts.

• Resource Sharing
different threads tend to get the same resource. Higher concurrency, higher chance
of getting deadlocks.

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 Types of Threads
• User-Level Threads (ULT)
• Kernel-Level Threads (KLT)
• Combined Approaches (ULT/KLT)

(Stallings, 2014)

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 Types of Threads
• User-Level Threads (ULT)
• Work of thread mgmt. is done by
the application
• kernel is not aware of the
existence of threads.
• using a threads library, a package
of routines.
(Stallings, 2014)

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 Types of Threads
• User-Level Threads (ULT)
• Disadvantages:
• ULT executes a system call, the
threads within the process are
blocked.
• A kernel assigns one process to
only one processor at a time, only
a single thread within a process (Stallings, 2014)

can execute at a time.

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 Types of Threads
• Kernel-Level Threads (KLT)
• All of the work of thread mgmt. is done
by the kernel.
• No thread mgmt. code in the
application level, simply an API
• Disadvantage:
• The transfer of control requires a
mode switch to the kernel. (Stallings, 2014)

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 Types of Threads
• Combined Approaches (ULT/KLT)
• Multiple threads within the same application can
run in parallel on multiple processors, and a
blocking system call need not block the entire
process.
• Same with pure ULT and KLT approaches while
minimizing the disadvantages.
(Stallings, 2014)

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 Multicore
• It is the presence of a multiple cores in a single or
more processors in a given system.
• To support a single application with multiple threads

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 Processors with multiple cores

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2.6 2.6 GHz

GHz X4

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 Servers with multiple processors/core

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 Multithreading
• The ability of an OS to support multiple,
concurrent paths of execution within a
single process.
T2
• Single-threaded approach / execution per
process.
T1 T3

Process

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 Some examples
• Multiprocess applications:
• Characterized by the presence of many single-threaded processes.
• Java applications:
• JVM provides scheduling and memory management for Java
applications.
• Multithreaded native applications:
• Characterized by having a small number of highly threaded
processes.

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 Application Example: Game Software
RENDER

SKYBOX MAIN VIEW MONITOR ETC.

SCENE LIST HUD Display

OBJECTS

PARTICLES

SIM & DRAW

MODELS

BONE SETUP

DRAW
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 Application Example: Game Software

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 Thread Management
• Windows
• o Supports Multithreading.
• o Threads are Interruptible. OS in
windows, Threads are easily disposable
as is. When a system call is inbound and
depending on the application, threads
are easily set aside either disposing or http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-
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swapping.
s1600/multithreading-06212013.jpg

• o Object-Oriented - Everything Threads.

Every application in

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 Thread Management
• Linux
• No multithreading. Linux OS usually replicates
processes avoiding deadlocks in as much.
• Processes cloned for sharing. If certain threads
require the same resources, the OS duplicates
the process in order that the same thread
doesn’t overlap the other resources.
• Processes share VM – threaded as one.

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 Thread Management
• Mac OS X
• Uses BLOCKS = commands
• # of blocks encapsulated in a thread
• Executed after encapsulation.

blocks

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 Thread Management
• Android
• One process = many threads
• Threads easily removed
depending on hierarchy.

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 Seatwork – by pair
• Students must provide ½ crosswise.
• Name 5 apps from Windows OS Platform.
• State a specific process with that app and state its
needed resource, its input command and output.
• E.g. Microsoft Word
• Process: Opening a *.docx file
• Resources needed: Hardisk, RAM, Processor, Keyboard,
Monitor, etc.
• Input: command from double-clicking the .docx file.
• Output: Opening the file in MS-Word

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 For the notes, please
download the handouts
in your eLMS account.
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