Develop Concurrent For-Loops, Once You Learn The ThreadPool

Imagine developing Python programs that effortlessly scaled to as many as 1,000+ concurrent tasks (and much more).

Your python code does not have to be slow! (or limited by the GIL)

If you can invest as little as one hour per day, then in one week you will know how to confidently bring concurrent programming to your current and future projects.

Convinced? Jump to the book, otherwise read on…

How Much Faster Could Your Code Run
(if it used 100s or 1,000s of threads)?

How many times has this happened to you…

• …you write a program to download many files
• …you write a program to execute many database queries
• …you write a program to read many files

You use a loop, one iteration per file, per query, etc.

And it is SO SLOW.

You run the script and are frustrated at how long it takes.

Yet, you have 2, 4, 8 or more CPU cores sitting idle.

Using electricity.
Waiting for work.

What a waste!

1. You could change a slow sequential for-loop into a blazingly-fast concurrent for-loop.
2. You could change run-and-wait tasks into fire-and-forget asynchronous tasks.

This is possible right now with a little-known Python class that offers super-easy-to-use thread-based concurrency (and is already installed on your system).

Concurrency is the Path to Faster Code

Python is a joy to use, but getting Python code to run fast is challenging.

Concurrency is a standard approach to running multiple functions simultaneously.

Python concurrency has a bad reputation. So bad, that many developers believe Python does not support true concurrency.

I’m happy to say that these misconceptions are dead wrong.

Python supports real concurrency with first-class native support for threads and processes.

It always has.

• …on all recent Python versions, like Python v2.6+ and v3.0+.
• …on all major platforms, like Windows, MacOS, and Linux.
• …with all major hardware, like Intel, AMD, ARM, and Apple Silicon.

And most importantly, Python concurrency is easy and fun to use.

The trick is to use the ThreadPool class and the right types of tasks.

But What About The GIL…?

Have you heard this before:

“Python doesn’t support threads because of the Global Interpreter Lock (GIL).“

Yes, it’s true. Python threads are limited by the infamous Global Interpreter Lock (GIL).

But…

Critically, the GIL is released allowing multiple threads to run in parallel.

When is the GIL released?

• …the GIL is released when performing blocking I/O
• …the GIL is released when calling some third-party libraries
• …the GIL does not even exist in some third-party Python interpreters

The first point is key.

The GIL is released when performing blocking IO.

Such as:

• Reading or writing a file from the hard drive.
• Reading or writing to standard output, input, or error (stdin, stdout, stderr).
• Printing a document.
• Downloading or uploading a file.
• Querying a server.
• Querying a database.
• Taking a photo or recording a video.
• And so much more.

And the easiest way to use threads is with a ThreadPool.

ThreadPool: The Little-Known Class

The ThreadPool class provides easy-to-use thread-based concurrency.

This is not some random third-party library, this is a class provided in the Python standard library (already installed on your system).

The ThreadPool class has been in the standard library since Python 2 and has been improved further since Python 3.

This is the class you need to use to make your code run faster.

It is specifically designed for you to run for-loops concurrently.

There’s just one problem.

No one knows about it (or how to use it well).

• The API documentation is thin at best, providing very little guidance on how to use its features.
• The API docs are buried deep within the multiprocessing documentation, making it impossible to find.
• The few examples out there on the web are terse and 10 years out of date.

This is madness!

The perfect class for faster concurrent Python code is right there in the standard library, and very few people know it exists or can locate it, let alone decipher the API documentation.

Introducing:

“Python ThreadPool Jump-Start”

“Python ThreadPool Jump-Start” is my new book that will teach you how to develop concurrent loops in Python, from scratch.

This book distills only what you need to know to get started and be effective with the ThreadPool class, super fast.

It’s exactly how I would teach you how to use the ThreadPool if we were sitting together, pair programming.

“Python ThreadPool Jump-Start” will lead you on the path from a Python developer interested in concurrency to a developer that can confidently develop concurrent for-loops using threads.

• No fluff.
• Just concepts and code.
• With full working examples.

The book is divided into 7 lessons.

The idea is you can read and work through one lesson per day, and become capable in one week.

It is the shortest and most effective path that I know of transforming you into a Python Concurrency Engineer.

Choose your package:

All prices are in USD.

(also get the book from Amazon, GumRoad, and GooglePlay stores)

See What Customers Are Saying:

You Get 7 Laser-Focused Lessons

The structure of the book is a course with 7 lessons.

They are:

• Lesson 01: Threads and Thread Pools
  • What is Thread-Based Concurrency
  • Thread Pools Provide Reusable Workers
  • Welcome to the ThreadPool Class
  • When to Use the ThreadPool
• Lesson 02: Configure the ThreadPool
  • Configure the ThreadPool via the Constructor
  • How to Inspect the ThreadPool Default Configuration
  • How to Configure the Number of Worker Threads
  • How to Configure the Worker Thread Initialization
• Lesson 03: Execute Tasks Concurrently and Wait
  • Issue Tasks to the ThreadPool Synchronously (blocking)
  • How to Execute One-Off Tasks with apply()
  • How to Execute Many Tasks with map()
  • How to Execute Many Tasks with Multiple Arguments
• Lesson 04: Execute Tasks Concurrently and Not Wait
  • Issue Tasks to the ThreadPool Asynchronously (non-blocking)
  • How to Issue One-Off Tasks Asynchronously
  • How to Issue Many Tasks Asynchronously
  • How to Issue Tasks with Multiple Arguments Asynchronously
• Lesson 05: Execute Tasks Concurrently and Responsive
  • How to Overcome the Limitations of map()
  • How to Issue Tasks One-by-One with imap()
  • How to Get Results in Task Completion Order
• Lesson 06: Callbacks and AsyncResults for Async Tasks
  • How to Configure a Callback Function
  • How to Manage Asynchronous Tasks with AsyncResult
  • How to Check the Status of Tasks with AsyncResult
  • Worked Example of Checking the Status of a Task
• Lesson 07: Case Study Developing a Port Scanner
  • Scan Ports One-by-One (slowly)
  • Scan Ports Concurrently with ThreadPool (fast)

Next, let's look at the structure of each lesson.

Highly-structured lessons on how you can get results

Each lesson has two main parts, they are:

• 1) The lesson body that teaches the concepts and working code examples.
• 2) The lesson review that summarizes what was learned with exercises.

The body of the lesson will introduce a topic with code examples, whereas the lesson overview will review what was learned with exercises and links for further information.

Each lesson has a specific learning outcome and is designed to be completed in about one hour.

Each lesson is also designed to be self-contained so that you can read the lessons out of order if you choose, such as dipping into topics in the future to solve specific programming problems.

We Python developers learn best from real and working code examples. So each lesson has multiple large worked examples with sample output.

Next, let's look at what you will know after finishing the book.

Your Learning Outcomes

Transform from "python developer" into "Python developer that can create scalable and concurrent programs using multithreaded programming"

After working through all of the lessons in this book, you will know:

1. How to create a ThreadPool to execute IO-bound tasks concurrently and in the background with thread-based concurrency.
2. How to configure the ThreadPool including how to inspect the default configuration, set the number of worker threads, and how to initialize worker threads.
3. How to execute ad hoc tasks in the ThreadPool and block until the results are available.
4. How to execute tasks asynchronously in the ThreadPool, allowing the caller to continue on with other work.
5. How to use lazy methods to execute many tasks that use less memory and provide task return values in a way that is more responsive.
6. How to work with asynchronous tasks, including how to execute callback functions, how to wait for and get results, and how to check on their status.
7. How to build upon what you have learned to speed up the IO-bound task of scanning ports on a remote server one by one so that the ports are scanned concurrently more than 70x faster.

You will learn from code examples, not pages and pages of fluff.

Get your copy now:

100% Money-Back Guarantee
(no questions asked)

I want you to actually learn the ThreadPool class so well that you can confidently use it on current and future projects.

I designed my book to read just like I'm sitting beside you, showing you how.

I want you to be happy. I want you to win!

I stand behind all of my materials. I know they get results and I'm proud of them.

Nevertheless, if you decide that my books are not a good fit for you, I'll understand.

I offer a 100% money-back guarantee, no questions asked.

To get a refund, contact me with your purchase name and email address.

Frequently Asked Questions

This section covers some frequently asked questions.

If you have any questions. Contact me directly. Any time about anything. I will do my best to help.

What are your prerequisites?

This book is designed for Python developers who want to discover how to use and get the most out of the ThreadPool class.

Specifically, this book is for:

• Developers that can write simple Python programs.
• Developers that need better performance from current or future Python programs.
• Developers that want to learn concurrent programming in Python.

This book does not require that you are an expert in the Python programming language or concurrency.

Specifically:

• You do not need to be an expert Python developer.
• You do not need to be an expert in concurrency.

What version of python do you need?

All code examples use Python 3.

Python 3.9+ to be exact.

Python 2.7 is not supported because it reached its "end of life" in 2020.

Are there code examples?

Yes.

There are 17 .py code files.

Each lesson has one or more complete, standalone, and fully-working code examples.

The book is provided in a .zip file that includes a src/ directory containing all source code files used in the book.

How long will the book take you to finish?

About 1 hour per lesson.

Work at your own pace.

I recommend 1 lesson per day, over 7 days (1 week).

There's no rush and I recommend that you take your time.

The book is designed to be read linearly from start to finish, guiding you from being a Python developer at the start of the book to being a Python developer that can confidently use the ThreadPool class in your projects by the end of the book.

In order to avoid overload, I recommend completing one lesson per day, such as in the evening or during your lunch break. This will allow you to complete the transformation in about one week.

I recommend you maintain a directory with all of the code you type from the lessons in the book. This will allow you to use the directory as your own private code library, allowing you to copy-paste code into your projects in the future.

I recommend trying to adapt and extend the examples in the lessons. Play with them. Break them. This will help you learn more about how the API works and why we follow specific usage patterns.

What format is the book?

You can read the book on your screen, next to your editor.

You can also read the book on your tablet, away from your workstation.

The ebook is provided in 2 formats:

• PDF (.pdf): perfect for reading on the screen or tablet.
• EPUB (.epub): perfect for reading on a tablet with a Kindle or iBooks app.

Many developers like to read technical books on their tablet or iPad.

How can you get more help?

The lessons in this book were designed to be easy to read and follow.

Nevertheless, sometimes we need a little extra help.

A list of further reading resources is provided at the end of each lesson. These can be helpful if you are interested in learning more about the topic covered, such as fine-grained details of the standard library and API functions used.

The conclusions at the end of the book provide a complete list of websites and books that can help if you want to learn more about Python concurrency and the relevant parts of the Python standard library. It also lists places where you can go online and ask questions about Python concurrency.

Finally, if you ever have questions about the lessons or code in this book, you can contact me any time and I will do my best to help. My contact details are provided at the end of the book.

How many pages is the book?

The PDF is 76 US letter-sized pages.

Can you print the book?

Yes.

Although, I think it's better working through it on the screen.

• You can search, skip, and jump around really fast.
• You can copy-and-paste code examples.
• You can compare code output directly.

Is there digital rights management?

No.

The ebooks have no DRM.

Do you get free updates?

Yes.

Each time I release an updated version, I will send you an email with a link so that you can download the latest version for free.

You can also email me any time and I will send you the latest version.

Can you buy the book elsewhere?

Yes!

You can get a kindle or paperback version from Amazon.

• See the book on Amazon
• See the book on Google Play

Many developers prefer to buy from the kindle store on amazon directly.

Can you get a paperback version of the book?

Yes!

You can get a paperback version from Amazon.

• See the book on amazon

Can you read a sample of the book?

Yes.

You can read a book sample via google books "preview" or via the amazon "look inside" feature:

• Google Books Preview
• Amazon Look Inside

Generally, if you like my writing style on SuperFastPython, then you will like the books.

Can you download the source code now?

The source code (.py) files are included in the .zip with the book.

Nevertheless, you can also download all of the code from the dedicated GitHub Project:

• PythonThreadPoolJumpStart GitHib Project

Does the ThreadPool class work on your operating system?

Yes.

Python concurrency is built into the Python programming language and works equally well on:

• Windows
• macOS
• Linux

Does the ThreadPool class work on your hardware?

Yes.

Python concurrency is agnostic to the underlying CPU hardware.

If you are running Python on a modern computer, then you will have support for concurrency, e.g. Intel, AMD, ARM, and Apple Silicon CPUs are supported.

How does the "Jump-Start Book" compare to the "Complete Guides"?

The SuperFastPython Jump-Start books are laser-focused on making you productive with a Python concurrency module or class as fast as possible.

This means that many broader topics are not covered because they are not on the critical path.

The guides on SuperFastPython.com are broader in scope and compare the class or module to related modules, describing best practices, common errors, common usage questions, and common objects.

This material may be interesting but is a distraction when you are focused on getting productive as fast as possible.

Another important difference is that the jump-start books are provided in book form, whereas the guides are very long web pages.

This makes the books easy to read on a kindle, tablet, or paperback, as well as the screen, whereas the guides must be read in the browser.

About the Author

Hi, I'm Jason Brownlee, Ph.D.

I'm a Python developer, husband, and father to two boys.

I want to share something with you.

I am obsessed with Python concurrency, but I wasn't always this way.

My background is in Artificial Intelligence and I have a few fancy degrees and past job titles to prove it.

You can see my LinkedIn profile here:

• Jason Brownlee LinkedIn Profile
  (follow me if you like)

So what?

Well, AI and machine learning has been hot for the last decade. I have spent that time as a Python machine learning developer:

• Working on a range of predictive modeling projects.
• Writing more than 1,000+ tutorials.
• Authoring over 20+ books.

There's one thing about machine learning in Python, your code must be fast.

Really fast.

Modeling code is already generally fast, built on top of C and Fortran code libraries.

But you know how it is on real projects…

You always have to glue bits together, wrap the fast code and run it many times, and so on.

Making code run fast requires Python concurrency and I have spent most of the last decade using all the different types of Python concurrency available.

Including threading, multiprocessing, asyncio, and the suite of popular libraries.

I know my way around Python concurrency and I am deeply frustrated at the bad wrap it has.

This is why I started SuperFastPython.com where you can find hundreds of free tutorials on Python concurrency.

And this is why I wrote this book.

Praise for Super Fast Python

Python developers write to me all the time and let me know how helpful my tutorials and books have been.

Below are some select examples posted to LinkedIn.

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