Best way to start a thread as a member of a C++ class?

Question

I'm wondering the best way to start a pthread that is a member of a C++ class? My own approach follows as an answer...

Answer 1

This can be simply done by using the boost library, like this:

#include <boost/thread.hpp>

// define class to model or control a particular kind of widget
class cWidget
{
public:
void Run();
}

// construct an instance of the widget modeller or controller
cWidget theWidget;

// start new thread by invoking method run on theWidget instance

boost::thread* pThread = new boost::thread(
    &cWidget::Run,      // pointer to member function to execute in thread
    &theWidget);        // pointer to instance of class

Notes:

• This uses an ordinary class member function. There is no need to add extra, static members which confuse your class interface
• Just include boost/thread.hpp in the source file where you start the thread. If you are just starting with boost, all the rest of that large and intimidating package can be ignored.

In C++11 you can do the same but without boost

// define class to model or control a particular kind of widget
class cWidget
{
public:
void Run();
}

// construct an instance of the widget modeller or controller
cWidget theWidget;

// start new thread by invoking method run on theWidget instance

std::thread * pThread = new std::thread(
    &cWidget::Run,      // pointer to member function to execute in thread
    &theWidget);        // pointer to instance of class