Thread pool

/θred pul/ noun

Definition

A collection of pre-created threads that wait to execute tasks, allowing efficient reuse of threads without the overhead of creating and destroying them for each task.

Etymology

Combines 'thread' from the textile metaphor for execution paths (1960s) with 'pool' meaning a shared resource collection. The concept emerged in the 1990s as multi-core processors made thread management crucial for performance.

Kelly Says

Think of a thread pool like a restaurant kitchen with dedicated chefs waiting for orders - instead of hiring and firing a chef for each dish, you keep a team ready to cook whatever comes in. This is why your web browser can handle multiple tabs smoothly without grinding to a halt!

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