Re: [boost] "joinable"

From: Anthony Williams (anthony.ajw_at_[hidden])
Date: 2008-05-28 10:35:39

Stefan Seefeld <seefeld_at_[hidden]> writes:

> Anthony Williams wrote:
>> OK. t.joinable() /really/ means t represents a thread of
>> execution.
>
> Out of curiosity: Why do you consider a detached thread not to be a 
> "thread of execution" ?

It is a thread of execution, it's just that no thread object can
represent a detached thread.

> I can use all the usual means like mutexes and conditions across 
> detached threads, can't I ?

Yes.

> (And even the 'main' thread is one, as you have stated, even though it's 
> impossible to obtain a thread object for it.)

Yes. Exactly like a detached thread.

>>  However, the implication of the word is "t can be joined",
>> which is too narrow. t.attached() could indeed be read to mean "not
>> detached", which is also not really correct.
>>
>> t.represents_a_thread() would be strictly correct, but is a bit
>> long-winded.
>>
>> t.has_thread() is shorter.
>>   
>
> I find these really confusing since the word 'thread' appears in two 
> very distinct meanings here. (first as the type of 't', then as "thread 
> of execution".)

Yes, I did worry about that. Any more ideas?

Anthony
-- 
Anthony Williams            | Just Software Solutions Ltd
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