What is ThreadLib?

From the project documentation:

Thread Library is a free library, for use by Macintosh software developers, that implements cooperative multiple thread execution within a single application. Thread Library...

• does not require any extensions
• should work with all Macintosh models (from the Plus on up)
• works with system 7.x and with system 6.x under Finder or MultiFinder
• runs in native mode on 680x0 and PowerPC* based Macintoshes
• compiles into a small library of 3 to 8 kilobytes
• works with the Symantec, Metrowerks, and MPW compilers

The 680x0 version of Thread Library is 2-3 times faster than Apple's Thread Manager. The PowerPC version of Thread Library is about 2 times faster than Apple's Thread Manager.

Every thread has its own stack, and there are no restrictions on the objects that can be allocated on a thread's stack. All other global application data are shared by threads. Context switches are very efficient since they involve only a few operations to save the current thread's state, followed by a context switch to the new thread, and a few instructions to restore the new thread's state.

The "threadlib1.0.sit_.hqx" archive includes:

• complete source code in C
• detailed documentation in Microsoft Word 5.0 format
• prebuilt libraries for 68K and PowerPC programs, including debug versions of the libraries
• a new interface that mimics Apple's Thread Manager
• a simple test application that demonstrates how threads may be used
• an application that compares the speed of Thread Library with the speed of Apple's Thread Manager
• Metrowerks CodeWarrior project files
• AppleScript program for automatic builds

The "threadlib1.0d4.cpt_.hqx" archive is an earlier release, from 1994, included for historical reasons.

Historical Note
Apple Trademark guides specify that MacDNS end-user documentation should include "ThreadLib 1.04 © 1994" notice, suggesting that version of ThreadLib was used in at least one Apple product

Download ThreadLib

Architecture

68K + PPC (FAT)

System Requirements

From Mac OS 6.0

Compatibility notes

Emulating this? It could probably run under: Basilisk II