CreateThread vs. _beginthread vs. _beginthreadex: Which Windows Thread Creation Function Should You Use?

Creating Threads in Windows: A Comparison of _beginthread, _beginthreadex, and CreateThread

When creating new threads, one has to decide between three options: _beginthread, _beginthreadex, and CreateThread. While all three serve the purpose of initializing a thread and return a thread handle, specific factors influence the selection of the ideal method.

CreateThread: Low-Level Control

CreateThread is a native Win32 API function that grants direct control over thread creation at the kernel level. It offers flexibility and customization for advanced low-level operations.

_beginthread and _beginthreadex: C Runtime Support

_beginthread and _beginthreadex are functions from the C runtime library that leverage CreateThread behind the scenes. They perform essential setup and cleanup tasks, enabling compatibility with the C runtime environment within the newly created thread.

Recommendation for C Development

In the context of C development, _beginthreadex is highly recommended. It seamlessly integrates with the C runtime library, which is usually linked by default. There are no significant advantages to using CreateThread directly, unless one requires direct low-level control over the thread creation process.

Difference in Thread Termination

_beginthread does not fully follow the guidelines of the C Standard Library regarding thread termination. If this implementation is used, calling WaitForSingleObject() for the thread created by _beginthread() may not work as expected. _endthread(), a function provided by the _beginthread implementation, should be used instead to terminate the thread gracefully.

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