Distinction between a Thread and an Executor in Java

Although each Thread and Executor, each are used to execute some code in parallel, there are some key variations between them. The principle distinction between a Thread and an Executor in Java is that it later gives a thread pool in Java. Together with a number of concurrency utilities like CountDownLatch, CyclicBarrier, Semaphore, FutureTask, Callable interface, and Situations, JDK 5 additionally launched a built-in thread pool, which gives a set of working threads to run your code in parallel. Since creating, beginning, and working a thread is a time-consuming and costly operation, many Java functions create a spool of thread at start-up and leverage that for executing the duty in parallel till Java launched the built-in thread pool.

This thread-pool is called the Executor framework which relieved Java utility builders from the accountability of making and managing threads

The JDK 1.5 Executor framework is a mix of Executor, Executors, and ExecutorService interface to supply a completely purposeful, feature-rich thread pool in Java.  By the way in which that was the basic distinction between the Thread and Executor idea in Java, let’s have a look at a few extra particulars about Thread and Executor to reply this query higher.

Thread vs Executor in Java 

As I stated, a Thread is used to run your code in parallel and you’ll create and begin your personal thread both by extending java.lang.Thread class or implementing java.lang.Runnable interface. Although each approaches work properly in small functions, they’ve their execs and cons, which you’ll be able to see right here. 

Then again, Executor is an interface which additionally gives parallel execution, however through a thread pool, which is extra appropriate for giant Java utility.

1) The firstly distinction between Thread and Executor is that java.lang.Thread is a class in Java whereas java.util.concurrent.Executor is an interface.

2) The Executor idea is definitely an abstraction over parallel computation. It permits concurrent code to be run in a managed approach. Then again, Thread is a concrete strategy to run the code in parallel.

3) The third distinction between an Executor and a Thread class is that the previous decouples a job (the code which must be executed in parallel) from execution, whereas within the case of a Thread, each job and execution are tightly coupled. 

4) The Executor idea permits your job is to be executed by a employee thread from the thread pool, whereas Thread itself execute your job.

5) Executor gives a execute() methodology which accepts a Runnable job, whereas Thread accepts the Runnable job on its constructor.

6) Another key distinction between a Thread and an Executor is {that a} Thread can solely execute one Runnable job however an Executor can execute any variety of Runnable duties.

7) Within the case of Thread, the duty is executed by the Thread which accepts Runnable occasion, however within the case of Execution the command (a Runnable implementation) could also be executed in a brand new thread, a pooled thread, or within the calling thread itself, relying upon the implementation of Executor interface.

8) Within the case of a thread, it is the developer’s accountability to create and begin the thread, however within the case of Executor, the framework will create and begin threads for you. Although you may management the entire course of by giving your implementation of the Executor interface. 

7) Now, let’s have a look at an instance of execution of a Runnable job through Executor and through Thread in Java:

import java.util.concurrent.Executor;
import java.util.concurrent.Executors;

public class Important {

  public static void essential(String args[]) {

    Runnable job = new Runnable() {
      @Override
      public void run() {
        System.out.println("Activity is executed by : "
            + Thread.currentThread().getName());
      }
    };

    Thread t = new Thread(job, "MY_THREAD");
    t.begin();

    Executor e = Executors.newSingleThreadExecutor();
    e.execute(job);

  }
}

Output
Activity is executed by MY_THREAD
Activity is executed by pool-1-thread-1

The distinction is kind of clear that first is only a thread whereas later is a pool of threads.

It is value noting that manufacturing unit strategies of Executors class e.g. newSingleThreadExecutor() return an ExecutorService, which is a sub-interface of Executor and likewise gives strategies to accepts a Callable, terminate, or shut down the thread pool.

That is all concerning the distinction between a Thread and an Executor in Java. You may see that although each are associated to the parallel execution of duties they’re a separate abstraction. A Thread represents one thing which is answerable for executing your code in parallel, whereas an Executor is an abstraction for concurrent job execution. 

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