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portable-threadsthreadscompatibility-layer

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This system is similar to bordeaux-threads but has some unique features.

What I like is that portable-threads forces you to give the thread a name. No more Anonumous threads!

Also, there is a shortcut macro to start any code in a thread without wrapping it into an explicit lambda:

POFTHEDAY> (portable-threads:spawn-form 
             (format t "Running in ~S thread"
                     (portable-threads:thread-name
                      (portable-threads:current-thread))))

Running in "Form (FORMAT T ...)" thread
#<SB-THREAD:THREAD "Form (FORMAT T ...)" FINISHED values: NIL {10051E61C3}>

Or there is also a shortcut to run periodical tasks in the thread:

POFTHEDAY> (defun periodic ()
             (format t "[~A] Running in ~S thread~%"
                     (local-time:now)
                     (portable-threads:thread-name
                      (portable-threads:current-thread))))

POFTHEDAY> (portable-threads:spawn-periodic-function
            #'periodic
            5
            :count 3
            :verbose t)

;; Spawning periodic-function thread for...
#<SB-THREAD:THREAD "Periodic Function" RUNNING {100466CDB3}>
[2020-08-23T14:00:35.207071+03:00] Running in "Periodic Function" thread
[2020-08-23T14:00:40.214253+03:00] Running in "Periodic Function" thread
[2020-08-23T14:00:45.215454+03:00] Running in "Periodic Function" thread
;; Exiting periodic-function thread

Another cool feature not found in bordeaux-threads is thread hibernation. Any thread can fall asleep and be awakened later:

POFTHEDAY> (defun do-the-job ()
             (format t "Started a thread ~A~%"
                     (portable-threads:thread-name
                      (portable-threads:current-thread)))
             ;; Now we'll fall asleep until somebody will
             ;; call awake.
             (portable-threads:hibernate-thread)
             (format t "Thread ~A works again!~%"
                     (portable-threads:thread-name
                      (portable-threads:current-thread))))

POFTHEDAY> (defparameter *thread*
             (portable-threads:spawn-thread "Worker"
                                            #'do-the-job))
Started a thread Worker

POFTHEDAY> (portable-threads:thread-whostate *thread*)
"Alive"

;; Now we wake thread up:

POFTHEDAY> (portable-threads:awaken-thread *thread*)
Thread Worker works again!
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There are other interesting helpers like protected calls to work with lists.

Read the documentation to find more gems!