thread

A lightweight process that is managed by the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Support for threads is provided by the Thread class in the java.lang package.

The basic unit of program execution. A process can have several threads running concurrently, each performing a different job, such as waiting for events or performing a time-consuming job that the program doesn't need to complete before going on. When a thread has finished its job, the thread is suspended or destroyed. See also process.

A series of postings on a particular topic. Threads can be a series of bulletin board messages (for example, when someone posts a question and others reply with answers or additional queries on the same topic). A thread can also apply to chats, where multiple conversation threads may exist simultaneously.

The messages or documents that capture a written conversation about a topic. In Notes, a thread consists of an initial mail message or document and all its replies, contained in a view or displayed as a history in a document,

Like a forked process, but without "fork"'s inherent memory protection. A thread is lighter weight than a full process, in that a process could have multiple threads running around in it, all fighting over the same process's memory space unless steps are taken to protect threads from each other. See threads.

1. In computer conferencing, a set of sequential messages containing closely related information. [After 2382-pt.35] Synonyms discussion thread, followup. 2 . A single flow of control within a process [POSIX.0].