How to Multi Process in AutoIt!

[CodeMaster Rapture]

Hey all,

I got bored and thought up a way to multi-thread AutoIt scripts. Keep in mind that this is a proof on concept and probably has a couple bugs in it.

A little about what is going on in the scripts:

1.) Our main thread (MutliThread Reader) will execute other compiled scripts.

2.) These compiled scripts do whatever they are designed to do and export thier data to a file

3.) Our main thread goes about its business and checks for changes in the thread data files periodically

4.) Our main thread also manages house keeping with the thread data files.

I haven't figured out how to pass arguments yet, but I'm sure there is a way.

MainThread.au3

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#cs ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 AutoIt Version: 3.2.11.1 (beta)
 Author:         CodeMaster Rapture

 Script Function:
    Executes and Reads multiple threads and parses information.

#ce ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
#include <GUIConstants.au3>
#include <Array.au3>

Global $GUI_Main = GUICreate("MultiThread Reader",300,300)
GUISetState(@SW_SHOW)

Global $a_Files,$a_TimeStamps ;These are paired arrays. I.E. $a_Files[1] contains $a_TimeStamps[1]

AdlibEnable("_PollThreads",250) ;Every 250ms

_CreateNewThread("NewThread.exe")
_CreateNewThread("NewThread.exe")
_CreateNewThread("NewThread.exe")
_CreateNewThread("NewThread.exe")

While 1
    Switch (GUIGetMsg())
        Case $GUI_EVENT_CLOSE
            Exit
    EndSwitch
    Sleep(10)
WEnd

Func _CreateNewThread($sz_ThreadPath,$v_0 = "",$v_1 = "",$v_2 = "",$v_3 = "",$v_4 = "")
    If (@NumParams > 1) Then
        Local $a_Args[5] = [$v_0,$v_1,$v_2,$v_3,$v_4]
        ReDim $a_Args[@NumParams-1]
        $sz_Data = _ArrayToString($a_Args," ")
        ;Have not figured out a way to pass arguments yet...
    EndIf
    Local $PID = RUN($sz_ThreadPath)
    If (Not $PID) Then
        MsgBox(0,"Error","Failed to launch '" & $sz_ThreadPath & "'.")
    EndIf
    Sleep(1000)
EndFunc

Func _PollThreads()
    Local $iCount = 0, $sz_Filename = ""
    
    Local $h_FileSearch = FileFindFirstFile("Thread.*.dat")
    If ($h_FileSearch == -1) Then
        Return
    EndIf
    
    While 1
        $sz_Filename = FileFindNextFile($h_FileSearch)
        If (@error) Then
            ExitLoop
        EndIf
        
        Local $h_CurrentFile = FileOpen($sz_Filename,0)
        If ($h_CurrentFile == -1) Then
            ;MsgBox(0,"Error","Failed to open " & $sz_Filename & @CRLF & "Perhaps it is being written to?"
            ContinueLoop
        EndIf
        
        Local $sz_TimeStamp = FileReadLine($h_CurrentFile)
        ;Read other information here
        FileClose($h_CurrentFile) ;End of file reading, let's close it.
        
        ;Now parse it:
        If (StringInStr($sz_TimeStamp,"Dead",1)) Then ;You may want to do this before reading other information (Depending on amount, of course)
            ;Ensure FileClose($h_CurrentFile) has been called before deleting...
            FileDelete($sz_Filename)
            
            ;Ok, let's delete our records of this thread:
            Local $iInstance = _ArrayBinarySearch($a_Files,$sz_Filename)
            If ($iInstance <> "") Then
                _ArrayDelete($a_Files,$iInstance)
                If (@error == 2) Then
                    Global $a_Files ;If there is only one element left, redeclare it.
                EndIf
                _ArrayDelete($a_TimeStamps,$iInstance)
                If (@error == 2) Then
                    Global $a_TimeStamps ;If there is only one element left, redeclare it.
                EndIf
            EndIf
            ContinueLoop
        EndIf
        
        If (Not IsArray($a_Files)) Then ;Due to the above code, or first run, let's make these arrays.
            $a_Files = _ArrayCreate($sz_Filename)
            $a_TimeStamps = _ArrayCreate($sz_TimeStamp)
        Else
            Local $iInstance = _ArrayBinarySearch($a_Files,$sz_Filename)
            If ($iInstance == "" And @error == 3) Then
                _ArrayAdd($a_Files,$sz_Filename)
                _ArrayAdd($a_TimeStamps,$sz_TimeStamp)
            Else
                If ($a_TimeStamps[$iInstance] == $sz_TimeStamp) Then
                    ;Didn't change... do nothing?
                Else
                    $a_TimeStamps[$iInstance] = $sz_TimeStamp
                    ;Update information for other parts of your program based on this thread...
                EndIf
            EndIf
        EndIf
        Sleep(10)
    WEnd
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The possibilities are endless IF you can find a way to pass args.

Enjoy!

[ashley]

lol this is an obvious, we all know of diffrent ways arrojnd multi-threading.

[GEOSoft]

lol this is an obvious, we all know of diffrent ways arrojnd multi-threading.

Why don't you spend more time concentrating on basic spelling and less time making inane comments in threads. Your comment in this one has added absolutely nothing to the thread, as usual.

[Wus]

Forgive me if I am wrong, but this doesn't seem to be multithreading... it seems to be multiprocessing (if thats a word). Multithreading generally implies multiple threads running under the same process, correct? I'm not trying to rain on your parade, I just think a more appropriate thread title could be in order. Or perhaps I need an education, as I know almost nothing about multithreading.

[martin]

@CodeMaster Rapture

You can pass arguments with Run by simply adding them after the filename,

EG

Run( @programDir & '\AutoIt3\AutoIt3.exe" NewThread.au3')

which also shows that you don't need the scripts to be compiled to run one script from another, although my example assumes that AutoIt is installed on the PC where the program is running.

A good way to communicate between the running programs is to use messages, then the spawned program is a bit more like a thread.

Edited February 16, 2008 by martin

[mikeytown2]

Old News

http://www.autoitscript.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=22069

http://www.autoitscript.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=23545

[Locodarwin]

I came into this thread expecting actual multi-threading. The title of this thread should be changed.

-S