Thread optimization

A computer-readable storage medium containing instructions for execution on a computer capable of executing multiple execution threads, wherein the CPU operates under varying processor loads, the instructions performing steps comprising:

• maintaining a variable limit on the number of active execution threads;
• repeatedly changing the variable limit during execution of the instructions, depending on the current processor load of the computer;
• assigning task requests to the execution threads;
• within each execution thread, calling a gating function before performing an assigned task request, wherein the gating function temporarily delays execution of its execution thread depending on a comparison between the number of active execution threads and the variable limit.

An application program that executes on a computer capable of executing multiple execution threads that produce varying processor loads, the application program being configured to perform steps comprising:

• maintaining a variable limit on the number of active execution threads;
• assigning task requests to the execution threads;
• within each execution thread, calling a gating function before performing an assigned task request;
• within each execution thread, calling an exit function after performing the assigned task request;
• wherein the gating and exit functions maintain a current count of active execution threads;
• wherein the gating function potentially changes the variable limit depending on the current processor load of the computer;
• wherein the gating function temporarily delays execution of its execution thread depending on a comparison of the current count of active execution threads to the variable limit.

A computer comprising:

• a plurality of processors having time-varying processor loads;
• an application program that is executed by the plurality of processors;
• wherein the application program performs steps comprising:
• assigning task requests to a plurality of available execution threads;
• activating no more execution threads than an allowed number limit of the available execution threads;
• repeatedly changing the allowed number limit during execution of the application program depending on the current processor load of the computer, thereby allowing activation of more or fewer execution threads.

An electronically-accessible medium storing instructions for a computer, the instructions capable of configuring the computer to effectuate actions comprising:

• providing access to a plurality of available execution threads of the computer;
• maintaining a variable limit on the number of active execution threads;
• assigning task requests to execution threads of the plurality of available execution threads;
• within a given execution thread:
• calling a gating function before performing a task request assigned to the given execution thread;
• comparing the variable limit to the number of active execution threads;
• and
• delaying performance of the task request depending on a result of the comparing action;
• and
• changing the variable limit responsive to a current processor load of the computer.

An application program that configures a computer to perform actions comprising:

• maintaining a current count of active execution threads of a plurality of available execution threads by performing actions comprising:
• incrementing the current count of active execution threads when a given execution thread of the plurality of available execution threads becomes active;
• and
• decrementing the current count of active execution threads when the given execution thread of the plurality of available execution threads ceases to be active;
• receiving a task request;
• assigning the task request to a respective execution thread of the plurality of available execution threads;
• comparing the current count of active execution threads to a number of active execution threads limit;
• and
• permitting the respective execution thread to begin handling the task request and thereby become active responsive to the comparing action;
• wherein the number of active execution threads limit is adjusted based on a current processor utilization of the computer.

An arrangement for managing execution threads on a computer having varying processor loads, comprising:

• means for assigning task requests to a plurality of available execution threads;
• means for activating no more execution threads than an allowed number limit of the available execution threads;
• and
• means for repeatedly changing the allowed number limit during execution of the execution threads depending on the current processor load of the computer.

A method of thread optimization for a computer, comprising:

• comparing a current number of active execution threads with a number of active execution threads limit;
• delaying activation of a given execution thread having an assigned task request if a favorable comparison result is not realized;
• ascertaining a current processor utilization value;
• determining whether the current processor utilization value is at least one of less than and equal to a lower threshold;
• if so, increasing the number of active execution threads limit;
• determining whether the current processor utilization value is at least one of greater than and equal to an upper threshold;
• if so, decreasing the number of active execution threads limit.