Java threads and SugarCubes

SugarCubes is a set of Java classes which provides a simple and structured approach to concurrency. It offers a powerful and modular communication mechanism based on instantaneously broadcast events. The semantics of SugarCubes code is deterministic and does not depend on arbitrary choices made by the execution platform. SugarCubes gives programmers a sound and fine control over execution; for example, reactive instructions can be preempted in a completely clean way. The paper compares thread‐based programming with SugarCubes programming. It shows that SugarCubes is simpler and more structured than the standard Java threading mechanism. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.