11/17/23, 4:35 PM pthread_join - Wait for Thread

You:

what does pthread join do

------------------

ChatGPT:

pthread_join is a function in the POSIX threads (pthread) library, which is a standard for threading in
Unix-like operating systems. This function is used to wait for the termination of a thread.

Here's a brief explanation of how pthread_join works:

1. Thread Termination: When a thread is created using pthread_create, it runs concurrently with
the calling thread. However, if the calling thread needs to wait for the completion of the newly
created thread, it can use pthread_join.

2. Waiting for Thread Termination: The pthread_join function allows one thread to wait for
another thread to finish its execution. The calling thread will be blocked until the specified thread
terminates.

3. Thread ID and Status: The function takes two parameters: the thread ID of the target thread
and a pointer to a location where the exit status of the target thread can be stored.

c
int pthread_join(pthread_t thread, void **status);

thread: The thread ID of the thread to be joined.

status: A pointer to a location where the exit status of the joined thread can be stored.
This exit status is set by the pthread_exit function when the thread exits.

4. Example:

c
#include <pthread.h>
#include <stdio.h>

void *thread_function(void *arg) {

// Thread logic goes here
pthread_exit((void *)42); // Exit status is set to 42
}

int main() {
pthread_t tid;
void *status;

// Create a thread
pthread_create(&tid, NULL, thread_function, NULL);
https://chat.openai.com/c/51884480-1467-43ce-a006-cc328c012d1f 1/3
11/17/23, 4:35 PM pthread_join - Wait for Thread

// Wait for the thread to finish

pthread_join(tid, &status);

printf("Thread exited with status %ld\n", (long)status);

return 0;
}

In this example, the main thread creates a new thread using pthread_create and then waits for it to
finish using pthread_join. The exit status of the joined thread is retrieved through the status
pointer.

Remember that calling pthread_join more than once for the same thread results in undefined
behavior. Also, it's important to ensure that the target thread has not already been detached (using
pthread_detach), as attempting to join a detached thread is also undefined behavior.

------------------

You:

can you explain why exit status is set to 42, and why pthread_exit needs to exist?

------------------

ChatGPT:

Certainly! In the provided example, the exit status of the thread is set to 42 using
pthread_exit((void *)42). Let's break down the reasons for this choice and discuss why
pthread_exit is necessary:

1. Exit Status:

The exit status is a value returned by a thread when it terminates. It provides a way for the
terminated thread to communicate a result or status back to the thread that joined it.
In the example, the value 42 is an arbitrary choice. You can use any valid pointer value as
an exit status. The specific value used will depend on the context of your program and
what kind of information you want the main thread to receive from the terminated thread.

2. Void Pointer and pthread_exit:

pthread_exit is a function that allows a thread to exit and specify an exit status.
It takes a single argument, which is a pointer (void pointer, void *), allowing flexibility in
the type of data that can be passed as an exit status.
The void pointer allows you to cast any type of data to a generic pointer, providing a way to
pass different types of information as an exit status.

https://chat.openai.com/c/51884480-1467-43ce-a006-cc328c012d1f 2/3
11/17/23, 4:35 PM pthread_join - Wait for Thread

pthread_exit((void *)42); // Exit status is set to 42

In this line, the integer value 42 is cast to a void pointer before being passed to pthread_exit.
When later retrieving the exit status using pthread_join, you can cast it back to the appropriate
type.

3. Why pthread_exit is Necessary:

pthread_exit is necessary because it allows a thread to terminate explicitly and pass an

exit status. Without this function, a thread would simply exit when its function returns, but
there would be no standardized way to communicate a status or result to other threads
waiting for it to finish.
It ensures that the resources associated with the thread are properly cleaned up, and it
provides a way to pass information about the thread's termination to the thread that joins it.

In summary, pthread_exit is a crucial function for proper thread termination and communication of
exit status. The choice of exit status (in this case, 42) depends on the requirements of your program.
It's a means for threads to communicate information about their termination to other threads in a
standardized way.

------------------

https://chat.openai.com/c/51884480-1467-43ce-a006-cc328c012d1f 3/3