Multi-Threaded

• Multiple processes of the same program running at once.  How?
• Time slicing makes one thread stop and another start.
• Or, if a thread stops or blocks naturally (waiting for input from the user, waiting for data from an outside source), other threads are given the opportunity to run.  So, another thread can be running between each stroke of a key on a keyboard!
• Typical for Java, it is easier to program threads in Java than most other languages, but it is tough if you have never done it before.
• You've been warned... different operating systems perform multi threading in different ways.  One of the few parts of Java for which you really have to take into consideration the platform of end use.

• Java is a very open language.  It is evolving as we speak.
• Embedded Java, and Java on the micro device are two of the newer evolutions.
• Use libraries to extend the functionality of Java.
• Reflection and Introspection can be used to dynamically find information at runtime.  As a matter of fact, with the proper use of these tools and object-oriented programming as a whole, you can almost eliminate the need for if tests!

Created by:  Brandan Jones December 4, 2001