Java's threading model is entirely inadequate for programs of realistic complexity and isn't in the least bit object oriented.

Gives an introduction to threads and explores the Thread class and runnables.

Explains synchronization, Java's synchronization mechanism, and two problems that arise when developers fail to use that mechanism correctly.

Explains how priority relates to thread scheduling and how to use the wait/notify mechanism to coordinate the activities of multiple threads.

Focuses on thread groups, volatility, thread-local variables, timers, and the ThreadDeath class. Also describes how various thread concepts combine to finalize objects.

Explains how to apply consistent rules for acquiring multiple locks simultaneously, to reduce the likelihood of synchronization deadlocks.

In this article, Brian Goetz looks at some of the commonly proposed fixes and shows how each of them fails to render the DCL idiom thread-safe under the Java Memory Model.

Explains how to fix the double-checked locking idiom by using thread-local variables and takes a look at its performance.

Discussion of thread cancellation techniques in Java. (excerpt from Doug Lea's Concurrent Programming in Java book)

Examines the roots of the double-checked locking idiom, why it was developed, and why it doesn't work.

Though many Java books and articles recommend double-checked locking, unfortunately, it is not guaranteed to work in Java.

Takes a look at one of the most-used constructs in multithreaded programming: the producer-consumer scenario. Also shows a Consumer class which facilitates code reuse and simplifies debugging and maintenance in some multithreaded applications.

Explains how the new atomic variable classes in JDK 5.0 enable the development of highly scalable nonblocking algorithms in the Java language.

If you're not careful, threads can disappear from server applications without a (stack) trace. In this article, threading expert Brian Goetz offers some techniques for both prevention and detection of threads going AWOL.

Read-write locks allow multiple threads to acquire a read lock provided no other thread currently has a write lock on the same object. A thread can acquire a write lock if no other thread owns either a read lock or a write lock.

Examines the performance of the Linux kernel when the system is running a heavily threaded Java program using the IBM Java Developer Kit for Linux.

Message Driven Thread API for Java, which enables deadlock safe, multithreaded, concurrent, high level communication between threads.

By Edward Harned. This article takes the multi-threading structures available today to the next level by making professional quality, Open Source code available to all programmers.

Article by Neel V. Kumar. A tour in the land of multithreading in Java. Introduces the mechanisms and demonstrates how to use them in limited but very common cases.

Discusses the things you need to know to program threads in the real world. This article assumes you understand the language-level support for threads and focuses on the legion of problems that arise when you try to use these language features.

Discusses the perils that can arise when you approach multithreading in a naive way.

Looks at how and why you might want to roll your own exclusion semaphores, and presents a lock manager that will help you safely acquire multiple semaphores.

A condition variable adds to wait the ability to not wait when the condition you're waiting for has already taken place; and a counting semaphore lets you control a pool of resources without sucking up machine cycles in polling loops.

Timers let you perform fixed-interval operations, such as animation refreshes.

How to implement the Observer pattern (used by AWT/Swing for its event model) in a multithreaded environment.

Reader/writer locks let multiple threads safely access a shared resource in an efficient way.

Discusses architectural solutions to threading problems. Takes a look at threads from the perspective of an object-oriented designer, and at how to implement threads in an object-oriented environment, focusing on the implementation of asynchronous methods.

Discussion of two more architectural solutions to threading problems: a synchronous dispatcher (or 'reactor') and an asynchronous dispatcher (or 'active object').

Concurrent programming in Java applications is more complicated than it looks: there are several subtle (and not so subtle) ways to create data races and other concurrency hazards in Java programs. In this installment of Java theory and practice, Brian Goetz looks at a common threading hazard: allowing the this reference to escape during construction. This harmless-looking practice can cause unpredictable and undesirable results in your Java programs.

A comprehensive course covering all aspects of multi-thread programming in Java from plain synchronization over Java 5.0 concurrency utilities to memory model issues.

An easy to use library for adding thread management in Java applications. The library comes from early experience with JServ's lack of thread management, and recent posts to the java developer forums. [Open source]

Presents two approaches to creating thread-safe singletons.

Details on the reasons - some very subtle - why double-checked locking cannot be relied upon to be safe. Signed by a number of experts, including Sun engineers.

Explores the motivations for thread pools, some basic implementation and tuning techniques, and some common hazards to avoid.

Producer Consumer, Dining Philosophers, Reader Writer problems. Applet demonstration, design diagram. Source code accessable by e-mail request.

Introduces basic concurrency problems and shows how to solve them by using builtin Java synchronization primitives. (Only sources free accessed without registration)

Examines ThreadLocal and offers tips for exploiting its power.

Explains why contended synchronization is a problem and then explores several techniques for reducing contention, and hence improving scalability.

Takes a look at the semantics and the performance penalty of Java's synchronized keyword.

Explains from the ground up how to get threads work correctly. (Chuck Allison)

Many authors advocate the double-checked locking idiom to access a Singleton object in an intuitively thread-safe way. Unfortunately, for counterintuitive reasons, double-checked locking doesn't work in Java.

Explains the use of thread pools to create better performing applications.

Introduces the Java Thread API, outlines issues involved in multithreading, and offers solutions to common problems.