Python Threading: Using the start() Method to Begin Thread Execution

Understand how to use Python's start() method to initiate thread activity, invoking the run() method in a separate thread. Learn about the RuntimeError that occurs when start() is called multiple times.

The start() method begins the thread's activity. It must be called once a thread object is created. This method automatically invokes the object's run() method in a separate thread. If called more than once, it raises a RuntimeError.

Syntax

Here is the syntax to use the start() method to start a thread:

threading.Thread.start()

Example

Take a look at the following example:

import threading

class MyThread(threading.Thread):
    def run(self):
        print("Thread is running")

# Create a new thread
thread1 = MyThread()

# Start the new thread
thread1.start()

Thread is running

The run() Method

The run() method represents the thread's activity and may be overridden in a subclass. The function passed to the constructor as the target argument is invoked by the object instead of the standard run() method.