The main difference between Runnable and Thread in Java lies in their design, inheritance, and resource sharing capabilities. Here are the key differences between the two:
- Extending vs. Implementing: A class extending Thread cannot extend any other class due to Java's single inheritance constraint. On the other hand, a class implementing Runnable can implement multiple interfaces, providing more flexibility and better object-oriented design.
- Memory Consumption: Thread consumes more memory because each thread creates a unique object and gets associated with it. In contrast, Runnable requires less memory, as multiple threads share the same object.
- Limitation: A class cannot extend another class if it extends the Thread class. However, if a class implements the Runnable interface, it can extend another class.
In summary, implementing Runnable is generally preferred over extending Thread due to its better object-oriented design, reusability, and resource sharing capabilities. It also allows for easier extensibility and flexibility in creating and managing threads.
Comparative Table: Runnable vs Thread
Here is a table comparing the differences between Runnable and Thread:
Feature | Runnable | Thread |
---|---|---|
Basic | Interface | Class |
Methods | Abstract run() method | Multiple methods including start() and run() |
Memory | Less memory required | More memory required |
Multiple Inheritance | Can extend another class | Cannot extend any other class (due to Java's single inheritance) |
Instance Creation | Multiple threads share the same object | Each thread creates a unique object and gets associated with it |
Usage | Implement Runnable interface to create a thread | Extend Thread class to create a thread |
Implementing Runnable is generally preferred over extending Thread because it allows for more flexibility, better inheritance, and cleaner separation between code and implementation.
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