Thread Class and Runnable Interface

[velmurugan]

If we want to create thread then
we extend Thread class or Implement Runnable interface
Why we have two seperate option to creat a Thread
Is there any special reason behind it?

When we use Thread Class and When we use Runnable Interface

Please anyone help me.

[Sachin Holla]

One technical cause is that Java does not support multiple inheritance. You cannot extend Thread when your class is already extending another. Another situation is when one who maintains the thread and one who provides the functionality are different � something like a generic thread pool.

One more reason is the coding style itself. People say if you "extend" a class you should be "adding" one or more functionalities to it. Such go for Runnable approach if the need is just to implement run() method.