[boost] [thread] cache of initialized threads

From: vicente.botet (vicente.botet_at_[hidden])
Date: 2008-05-08 10:41:49

Hi,

When we have to create lot of threads dynamicaly it will be better to have a 
'pool' of initialized threads (the initialization of a thread takes 
significant time). Please not that this has nothing to be with the 
thread_pool class.

I'm looking for any work done related to this problem (libraries, emails, 
...).
Any hints or comments?

Thanks in advance

Vicente

My first thoghts:
The cached_threader class interface could be something like

class cached_thread;

class cached_threader {
public:
    cached_thread launch(boost::function<void()>&);
private:
    friend class cached_thread;
    void restore(cached_thread);
}

cached_thread will provide most of the boost::thread operation but some as 
detach seams not adapted.
class cached_thread
{
    friend class cached_threader;
    cached_threade launch(boost::function<void()>& f);

public:
    cached_thread();
    ~cached_thread();

    // move support
    cached_thread(detail::thread_move_t<thread> x);
    cached_thread& operator=(detail::thread_move_t<cached_thread> x);
    operator detail::thread_move_t<cached_thread>();
    detail::thread_move_t<cached_thread> move();

    void swap(cached_thread& x);

    // ...
}

The destructor has the responsability to restore the cached_thread to its 
cached_threader pool.

_____________________
Vicente Juan Botet Escriba