lesson07_stop_thread.py

# SuperFastPython.com
# example of stopping a new thread gracefully
from time import sleep
from threading import Thread
from threading import Event

# custom function to be executed in a new thread
def task(shared_event):
 # execute a task in a loop
 for _ in range(5):
 # block for a moment
 sleep(1)
 # check for stop
 if shared_event.is_set():
 break
 # report a message
 print('Worker thread running...')
 print('Worker closing down')

# protect the entry point
if __name__ == '__main__':
 # create the shared event
 event = Event()
 # create and configure a new thread
 thread = Thread(target=task, args=(event,))
 # start the new thread
 thread.start()
 # block for a while
 sleep(3)
 # stop the worker thread
 print('Main stopping thread')
 event.set()
 # wait for the new thread to finish
 thread.join()