diff -r 43e37759235e -r 51a74ef9ed63 Symbian3/SDK/Source/GUID-AAA2ABA4-5555-5E4B-AEFF-3DF61462B170.dita --- /dev/null Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000 +++ b/Symbian3/SDK/Source/GUID-AAA2ABA4-5555-5E4B-AEFF-3DF61462B170.dita Wed Mar 31 11:11:55 2010 +0100 @@ -0,0 +1,31 @@ + + + + + +Introduction +to asynchronous programmingThis document introduces the concept of asynchronous programming. +

When a program requests a service, this service can be performed either synchronously or asynchronously.

+

A synchronous service is the normal pattern for function calls where the +function returns and the service requested has either performed successfully +or has failed and an error code returned.

+

An asynchronous service is requested by a function call but completion +occurs later. Completion is indicated by a signal. Between the issue +of the request and the signal, the request is said to be pending. The +requesting program can do other processing while the request is pending or +it can issue a wait. The operating system wakes the program up when +completion of any of its pending requests is signalled.

+

A program may contain a number of independently-executing units, called +threads. All programs have a primary thread, and may create other threads, +possibly for providing or using asynchronous services.

+

If all threads are in a wait state, for example, waiting for user input, +Symbian platform powers down as much as possible of the machine’s electronics. +This results in battery savings and, consequently, a considerable extension +of useful battery life.

+
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