_Beginthread, _Beginthreadex, or CreateThread: Which C Thread Creation Function Should I Use?

Windows Threading: _Beginthread vs. _Beginthreadex vs. CreateThread for C

When creating a thread in a Windows application, you have the options of using _beginthread, _beginthreadex, or CreateThread. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each can help you make an informed decision.

Differences between _Beginthread, _Beginthreadex, and CreateThread

• CreateThread: A raw Win32 API call that directly creates a new thread at the kernel level.
• _Beginthread: A C runtime library function that calls CreateThread internally. It provides additional bookkeeping to initialize the C runtime library in the new thread.
• _Beginthreadex: Similar to _beginthread, but provides an extra parameter to specify the initial stack size of the new thread.

Advantages of _Beginthreadex over CreateThread

In C , it's generally recommended to use _beginthreadex instead of CreateThread. _Beginthreadex provides several advantages:

• Simplifies thread creation and setup for C applications.
• Handles initialization of the C runtime library in the new thread.
• Allows you to specify the stack size for the new thread.

When to Use _Beginthread

_Beginthread is an older, less-featured version of _beginthreadex. It's not recommended for use in most cases.

WaitForSingleObject and _Beginthread

You cannot wait for a thread to complete using WaitForSingleObject() if you used _beginthread. However, if you call _endthread() in the thread, the C runtime library will perform cleanup and make WaitForSingleObject() usable.

Conclusion

For most C applications, _beginthreadex is the preferred choice for creating and managing threads. It offers a user-friendly interface, handles C runtime library initialization, and allows you to specify the thread's stack size.

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