Java Concurrency - Executor (Thread manager)

An executor is a thread management module (thread creation and management).

java.util.concurrent provides two executor interfaces:

Executor is a simple standardized interface for defining custom thread-like subsystems, including:

• thread pools,
• asynchronous I/O,
• and lightweight task frameworks.

Depending on which concrete Executor class is being used, tasks may:

• execute in:
  • a newly created thread,
  • an existing task-execution thread,
  • or the thread calling execute,
• and may execute
  • sequentially
  • or concurrently.

An object that executes submitted Runnable tasks.

An Executor is normally used instead of explicitly creating threads.

Executor executor = anExecutor;
 executor.execute(new RunnableTask1());
 executor.execute(new RunnableTask2());

ExecutorService is more extensive interface Executor by providing a more complete asynchronous task execution framework.

An ExecutorService manages:

• queuing
• scheduling of tasks,
• and controlled shutdown.

ExecutorServices provide methods arranging asynchronous execution of any function expressed as Callable, the result-bearing analog of Runnable.

The ScheduledExecutorService subinterface and associated interfaces add support for:

• delayed
• and periodic

task execution.

In a producer-consumer context:

// Start the threads
ExecutorService targetWorkExecutor = Executors.newFixedThreadPool(targetWorkerCount);
targetWorkExecutor.execute(resultSetLoaderConsumer);
 
// Wait the producer
producer.join();
producerWorkIsDone.set(true);
 
// Shut down the targetWorkExecutor
targetWorkExecutor.shutdown();
// And wait the termination of the threads
targetWorkExecutor.awaitTermination(Long.MAX_VALUE, TimeUnit.MICROSECONDS);