VPython Multithreading

Claimed by Philip Bale

Here we discuss multithreading as it relates to advanced VPython physics computations

Overview

Multithreading is the ability to execute multiple processes (or threads) concurrently. Instead of a single execution flow, multiple program paths may be followed at once. With multithreading, programs may no longer be executed strictly in a linear manner. The notion of multithreaded parallelism in computing is similar to multitasking in real life--the idea is to get more done at once.

Multithreading is very important to VPython. Imagine a Solar System model. Though it would be possible to model and update the entire system in a linear fashion, when it comes to movement and animation, the computation can get incredibly intense. Since your computer shares it's process cycles with various other programs, you may notice significant lag while trying to achieve your task. Multithreading, however, would allow you to model and update each Planet (or even subsystems of a planet, etc.) concurrently. For a system of thousands of relevant objects, the speed improvement could be many orders of magnitude with multithreading.

As an analogy, think of multithreading as a single employee vs. an assembly line. A car could simply be worked on by a singular person. It may also, however, be worked on by multiple people performing their own tasks at the same time. The idea of multiple tasks being executed at the same time is the essence of multithreading.

Advantages

Multithreading allows advanced and complex computations to be performed more efficiently due to concurrency. The asynchronous potential of multithreaded programs supports smoother graphical renderings and more accurate user input as well. While one thread is performing mathematical computations, another could be rendering models on screen, while another is taking user input. The modularity of threading allows users to break down processes as they see fit. Furthermore, various threads may share global objects. This allows for mutual cooperation and sharing when necessary. Threads are also light-weight and cheaper than processes. Since threads can be interrupted and put on hold, they also afford a good amount of flexibility.

Disadvantages

With multithreading comes risks and disadvantage--though not to be thought as zero-sum. There are cases when breaking up a single process into multiple threads is more costly due to memory and resource allocations. From a programming standpoint, multithreaded applications are also more complex in terms of time and logic. Thread scheduling can also cause program locks if not executed correctly.

Examples

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A Computational Model

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