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A thread is a path of execution through a program. Single threaded programs have one path of execution, and multi-threaded programs have two or more paths of execution. For most programs, one thread of execution is all you need, but sometimes it makes sense to use multiple threads in a program to accomplish multiple simultaneous tasks.

• Applet Examples
• Priorization
• Synchronization
• Timing Tasks

• SlideShow.java downloads three thumbnail paintings by Claude Monet and draws them one-by-one on the applet's panel. For supporting information see Creating a Threaded Slide Show Applet.
  
  

• RaceApplet.java animates a race between two runner threads of different priorities. Click on the applet to start the two runners. For supporting information see The Java Tutorial: Threads: Doing Two or More Tasks at Once.
  
  
• Runner.java is a subclass of the Thread class that counts from 1 to 400,000. It is used by the RaceApplet.java class. For supporting information see The Java Tutorial: Threads: Doing Two or More Tasks at Once.
  
  

• Consumer.java reads numbers generated by the Producer.java program. For supporting information see The Java Tutorial: Threads: Doing Two or More Tasks at Once.
  
  
• CubbyHole.java implements the synchronization so that the Producer.java and Consumer.java classes can interact with each other without errors. For supporting information see The Java Tutorial: Threads: Doing Two or More Tasks at Once.
  
  
• Editor.java explains how to use the InvokeLater method and synchronize keyword to ensure data integrity when modifying data in Swing components. For supporting information see Multithreaded Swing Applications.
  
  
• Producer.java generates and stores integers that are read by another program. For supporting information see The Java Tutorial: Threads: Doing Two or More Tasks at Once.
  
  
• ProducerConsumerTest.java is a standalone application that creates and starts the producer and and consumer objects. For supporting information see The Java Tutorial: Threads: Doing Two or More Tasks at Once.
  
  

Timing Tasks

• AnnoyingBeep.java uses a timer and a beeper to perform a task every second. For supporting information see The Java Tutorial: Threads: Doing Two or More Tasks at Once.
  
  
• Reminder.java uses a timer to perform a task after a delay. For supporting information see The Java Tutorial: Threads: Doing Two or More Tasks at Once.
  
  
• ReminderBeep.java uses a timer and a beeper to perform a task after a delay. For supporting information see The Java Tutorial: Threads: Doing Two or More Tasks at Once.