Multithreaded Number Sorting in Linux using Java
Course: CS330 Introduction to Operating Systems
Section: 948 Prof. Mohammed Ghazi AL Zamil
Student Learning Outcomes Covered
CLO5: Develop a practical experience with Unix to make use of OS concepts related to process/threads creation, synchronization, file manipulation, etc
Objective
The primary objective of this project is to implement a multithreaded program in Java to sort a list of numbers using thread programming techniques in a Linux environment.
By completing this project, students will attain the following:
• Provides hands-on experience with multithreaded programming in Java in a Linux environment.
• Reinforces understanding of process and thread management concepts in a Unix-like environment.
• Enhances programming skills in Java and familiarity with Java development environment on Linux.
• Fosters problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and creativity through project-based learning.
Project Assessment
• Project Weight:7%
• Deadline: 4/5/2024 @ 11:59 pm
• Groups Allowed: No
Problem Statement
In today’s computing environments, efficient sorting algorithms play a crucial role in various applications, ranging from data processing tasks to system-level operations. The ability to sort large sets of data quickly and accurately is essential for optimizing performance and ensuring the smooth operation of software systems.
The objective of this project is to develop a multithreaded program capable of sorting a list of numbers using different sorting algorithms. The program will be implemented in Java and will leverage the multithreading capabilities of the Java programming language. The project will specifically target a Linux environment, providing students with practical experience in developing and running multithreaded Java applications in a Unix-like operating system.
Implementation
Develop the project using Java programming language.
Utilize Java’s built-in threading support (e.g., Thread class, Runnable interface) for multithreading.
Implement the chosen sorting algorithms as separate classes or methods that can be executed concurrently by multiple threads.
Use Java’s threading constructs (e.g., Thread, Runnable, join(), interrupt()) for creating, synchronizing, and terminating threads.
Ensure proper thread synchronization and coordination to avoid race conditions and ensure the correctness of the sorting process.
Environment Setup
Set up a Linux environment for development and testing. Choose a Linux distribution such as Ubuntu or Fedora. A standalone or a virtual machine version could work for this project.
Use popular development tools like NetBeans, OpenJDK, Eclipse, or IntelliJ IDEA for Java development on Linux.
User Interface
Develop a command-line interface (CLI) to interact with the program.
Allow users to input the list of numbers to be sorted or read the numbers from a file.
Provide options for selecting the sorting algorithm and setting other parameters (e.g., number of threads).
Error Handling (Exceptions)
Implement proper error handling mechanisms to detect and handle errors such as invalid input, file I/O errors, and thread-related exceptions.
Provide informative error messages and graceful recovery strategies where applicable.
Testing and Validation – Challenging. (Bonus)
Test the program extensively in a Linux environment.
Verify the correctness of the sorting results and measure the performance (e.g., execution time, memory usage) for different sorting algorithms and thread configurations.
Documentation
Document the design, implementation, and testing of the program, including the algorithms used, data structures employed, and thread management strategies.
Prepare a presentation to demonstrate the project work, discuss design decisions, highlight key features, and showcase testing results.
Appendices
Appendix A: A Simple Program using Java Threads.
Below is a simple Java program demonstrating the use of threads in Linux. This program creates two threads that each print a message to the console repeatedly.
public class ThreadExample extends Thread {
private String message;
private int interval;
public ThreadExample(String message, int interval) {
this.message = message;
this.interval = interval;
}
public void run() {
while (true) {
System.out.println(message);
try {
Thread.sleep(interval);
} catch (InterruptedException e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
}
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
// Create and start two threads
ThreadExample thread1 = new ThreadExample(“Thread 1: Hello!”, 1000); // Print “Hello!” every second
ThreadExample thread2 = new ThreadExample(“Thread 2: World!”, 1500); // Print “World!” every 1.5 seconds
thread1.start();
thread2.start();
}
}