[SOLVED] How to set pthread name at the time of creation?

Issue

I am using pthread in my program. For creation using pthread_create(). Right after creation I am using pthread_setname_np() to set the created thread's name.

I am observing that the name I set takes a small time to reflect, initially the thread inherits the program name.

Any suggestions how I can set the thread name at the time I create the thread using pthread_create()? I researched a bit in the available pthread_attr() but did not find a function that helps.

A quick way to reproduce what I am observing, is as follows:

void * thread_loop_func(void *arg) {
   // some code goes here
   
   pthread_getname_np(pthread_self(), thread_name, sizeof(thread_name));
   // Output to console the thread_name here
   
   // some more code
}

int main() {
   // some code
   pthread_t test_thread;
   pthread_create(&test_thread, &attr, thread_loop_func, &arg);
   pthread_setname_np(test_thread, "THREAD-FOO");
   // some more code, rest of pthread_join etc follows.
   return 0;
}

Output:

<program_name>
<program_name>
THREAD-FOO
THREAD-FOO
....

I am looking for the first console output to reflect THREAD-FOO.

Solution

how I can set the thread name at the time I create the thread using pthread_create()?

That is not possible. Instead you can use a barrier or mutex to synchronize the child thread until it's ready to be run. Or you can set the thread name from inside the thread (if any other threads are not using it's name).

Do not to use pthread_setname_np. This is a nonstandard GNU extension. The _np suffix literally means "non-portable". Write portable code and instead use your own place where you store your thread names.

Answered By - KamilCuk

Answer Checked By - Robin (WPSolving Admin)