The Windows threads operation and delay between threads C program example

Compiler: Visual C++ Express Edition 2005

Compiled on Platform: Windows Xp Pro SP2

Target platform: none, just for learning and fun

Header file: Standard and Windows

Additional library: Windows Platform SDK

Additional project setting: Set project to be compiled as C

Project -> your_project_name Properties -> Configuration Properties -> C/C++ -> Advanced -> Compiled As: Compiled as C Code (/TC)

Other info: non-CLR or unmanaged.

To do: Demonstrate the Windows threads and time delay

To show: The Windows threads and processes operation

#include <windows.h>

#include <stdio.h>

#include <conio.h>

#include <process.h>

unsigned Counter;

unsigned __stdcall SecondThreadFunc(void* pArguments)

{

printf("In the second thread...\n");

while (Counter < 1000000)

Counter++;

_endthreadex(0);

return 0;

}

int main(int argc, char *argv[])

{

HANDLE hThread;

unsigned int threadID = 0;

printf("Creating second thread...\n");

// Create the second thread.

hThread = (HANDLE)_beginthreadex(NULL, 0, &SecondThreadFunc, NULL, 0, &threadID);

printf("The thread ID = %u.\n", threadID);

// Wait until second thread terminates. If you comment out the line below, Counter will not be correct because the thread has not

// terminated, and Counter most likely has not been incremented to 1000000 yet.

WaitForSingleObject(hThread, INFINITE);

printf("Counter should be 1000000; yes it is %u\n", Counter);

// Destroy the thread object.

if(CloseHandle(hThread) != 0)

printf("Handle to the thread closed successfully\n");

return 0;

}

Output example:

Creating second thread...

The thread ID = 2976.

In the second thread...

Counter should be 1000000; yes it is 1000000

Handle to the thread closed successfully

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