]> git.sesse.net Git - vlc/blobdiff - src/misc/threads.c
Win32 threads: Set priority on success rather than failure.
[vlc] / src / misc / threads.c
index 367511be2df359986856a8f5ea7e38b617df3d86..1c239a40bad62c7c9e5c3f5bde9ad37bc7751d4d 100644 (file)
@@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
 /*****************************************************************************
  * threads.c : threads implementation for the VideoLAN client
  *****************************************************************************
- * Copyright (C) 1999-2004 the VideoLAN team
+ * Copyright (C) 1999-2007 the VideoLAN team
  * $Id$
  *
  * Authors: Jean-Marc Dressler <polux@via.ecp.fr>
  *          Samuel Hocevar <sam@zoy.org>
  *          Gildas Bazin <gbazin@netcourrier.com>
+ *          Clément Sténac
  *
  * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
  * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
  * Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston MA 02110-1301, USA.
  *****************************************************************************/
 
+#ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
+# include "config.h"
+#endif
+
 #include <vlc/vlc.h>
 
-#include <stdlib.h>
+#include "libvlc.h"
+#include <assert.h>
+#ifdef HAVE_UNISTD_H
+# include <unistd.h>
+#endif
 
 #define VLC_THREADS_UNINITIALIZED  0
 #define VLC_THREADS_PENDING        1
@@ -39,14 +48,48 @@ static volatile unsigned i_initializations = 0;
 static volatile int i_status = VLC_THREADS_UNINITIALIZED;
 static vlc_object_t *p_root;
 
-#if defined( PTH_INIT_IN_PTH_H )
-#elif defined( ST_INIT_IN_ST_H )
-#elif defined( UNDER_CE )
+#if defined( UNDER_CE )
 #elif defined( WIN32 )
+
+/* following is only available on NT/2000/XP and above */
+static SIGNALOBJECTANDWAIT pf_SignalObjectAndWait = NULL;
+
+/*
+** On Windows NT/2K/XP we use a slow mutex implementation but which
+** allows us to correctly implement condition variables.
+** You can also use the faster Win9x implementation but you might
+** experience problems with it.
+*/
+static vlc_bool_t          b_fast_mutex = VLC_FALSE;
+/*
+** On Windows 9x/Me you can use a fast but incorrect condition variables
+** implementation (more precisely there is a possibility for a race
+** condition to happen).
+** However it is possible to use slower alternatives which are more robust.
+** Currently you can choose between implementation 0 (which is the
+** fastest but slightly incorrect), 1 (default) and 2.
+*/
+static int i_win9x_cv = 1;
+
 #elif defined( HAVE_KERNEL_SCHEDULER_H )
-#elif defined( PTHREAD_COND_T_IN_PTHREAD_H )
-    static pthread_mutex_t once_mutex = PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER;
-#elif defined( HAVE_CTHREADS_H )
+#elif defined( LIBVLC_USE_PTHREAD )
+static pthread_mutex_t once_mutex = PTHREAD_MUTEX_INITIALIZER;
+#endif
+
+vlc_threadvar_t msg_context_global_key;
+
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+/*****************************************************************************
+ * vlc_threads_error: Report an error from the threading mecanism
+ *****************************************************************************
+ * This is especially useful to debug those errors, as this is a nice symbol
+ * on which you can break.
+ *****************************************************************************/
+void vlc_threads_error( vlc_object_t *p_this )
+{
+     msg_Err( p_this, "Error detected. Put a breakpoint in '%s' to debug.",
+            __func__ );
+}
 #endif
 
 /*****************************************************************************
@@ -63,14 +106,17 @@ int __vlc_threads_init( vlc_object_t *p_this )
 
     /* If we have lazy mutex initialization, use it. Otherwise, we just
      * hope nothing wrong happens. */
-#if defined( PTH_INIT_IN_PTH_H )
-#elif defined( ST_INIT_IN_ST_H )
-#elif defined( UNDER_CE )
+#if defined( UNDER_CE )
 #elif defined( WIN32 )
+    if( IsDebuggerPresent() )
+    {
+        /* SignalObjectAndWait() is problematic under a debugger */
+        b_fast_mutex = VLC_TRUE;
+        i_win9x_cv = 1;
+    }
 #elif defined( HAVE_KERNEL_SCHEDULER_H )
-#elif defined( PTHREAD_COND_T_IN_PTHREAD_H )
+#elif defined( LIBVLC_USE_PTHREAD )
     pthread_mutex_lock( &once_mutex );
-#elif defined( HAVE_CTHREADS_H )
 #endif
 
     if( i_status == VLC_THREADS_UNINITIALIZED )
@@ -80,13 +126,7 @@ int __vlc_threads_init( vlc_object_t *p_this )
         /* We should be safe now. Do all the initialization stuff we want. */
         p_libvlc_global->b_ready = VLC_FALSE;
 
-#if defined( PTH_INIT_IN_PTH_H )
-        i_ret = ( pth_init() == FALSE );
-
-#elif defined( ST_INIT_IN_ST_H )
-        i_ret = st_init();
-
-#elif defined( UNDER_CE )
+#if defined( UNDER_CE )
         /* Nothing to initialize */
 
 #elif defined( WIN32 )
@@ -99,22 +139,14 @@ int __vlc_threads_init( vlc_object_t *p_this )
             hInstLib = LoadLibrary( "kernel32" );
             if( hInstLib )
             {
-                p_libvlc_global->SignalObjectAndWait =
+                pf_SignalObjectAndWait =
                     (SIGNALOBJECTANDWAIT)GetProcAddress( hInstLib,
                                                      "SignalObjectAndWait" );
             }
         }
-        else
-        {
-            p_libvlc_global->SignalObjectAndWait = NULL;
-        }
-
-        p_libvlc_global->b_fast_mutex = 0;
-        p_libvlc_global->i_win9x_cv = 0;
 
 #elif defined( HAVE_KERNEL_SCHEDULER_H )
-#elif defined( PTHREAD_COND_T_IN_PTHREAD_H )
-#elif defined( HAVE_CTHREADS_H )
+#elif defined( LIBVLC_USE_PTHREAD )
 #endif
 
         p_root = vlc_object_create( p_libvlc_global, VLC_OBJECT_GLOBAL );
@@ -130,6 +162,8 @@ int __vlc_threads_init( vlc_object_t *p_this )
             i_initializations++;
             i_status = VLC_THREADS_READY;
         }
+
+        vlc_threadvar_create( p_root, &msg_context_global_key );
     }
     else
     {
@@ -139,20 +173,14 @@ int __vlc_threads_init( vlc_object_t *p_this )
 
     /* If we have lazy mutex initialization support, unlock the mutex;
      * otherwize, do a naive wait loop. */
-#if defined( PTH_INIT_IN_PTH_H )
-    while( i_status == VLC_THREADS_PENDING ) msleep( THREAD_SLEEP );
-#elif defined( ST_INIT_IN_ST_H )
-    while( i_status == VLC_THREADS_PENDING ) msleep( THREAD_SLEEP );
-#elif defined( UNDER_CE )
+#if defined( UNDER_CE )
     while( i_status == VLC_THREADS_PENDING ) msleep( THREAD_SLEEP );
 #elif defined( WIN32 )
     while( i_status == VLC_THREADS_PENDING ) msleep( THREAD_SLEEP );
 #elif defined( HAVE_KERNEL_SCHEDULER_H )
     while( i_status == VLC_THREADS_PENDING ) msleep( THREAD_SLEEP );
-#elif defined( PTHREAD_COND_T_IN_PTHREAD_H )
+#elif defined( LIBVLC_USE_PTHREAD )
     pthread_mutex_unlock( &once_mutex );
-#elif defined( HAVE_CTHREADS_H )
-    while( i_status == VLC_THREADS_PENDING ) msleep( THREAD_SLEEP );
 #endif
 
     if( i_status != VLC_THREADS_READY )
@@ -170,14 +198,12 @@ int __vlc_threads_init( vlc_object_t *p_this )
  *****************************************************************************/
 int __vlc_threads_end( vlc_object_t *p_this )
 {
-#if defined( PTH_INIT_IN_PTH_H )
-#elif defined( ST_INIT_IN_ST_H )
-#elif defined( UNDER_CE )
+    (void)p_this;
+#if defined( UNDER_CE )
 #elif defined( WIN32 )
 #elif defined( HAVE_KERNEL_SCHEDULER_H )
-#elif defined( PTHREAD_COND_T_IN_PTHREAD_H )
+#elif defined( LIBVLC_USE_PTHREAD )
     pthread_mutex_lock( &once_mutex );
-#elif defined( HAVE_CTHREADS_H )
 #endif
 
     if( i_initializations == 0 )
@@ -190,23 +216,20 @@ int __vlc_threads_end( vlc_object_t *p_this )
         vlc_object_destroy( p_root );
     }
 
-#if defined( PTH_INIT_IN_PTH_H )
-    if( i_initializations == 0 )
-    {
-        return ( pth_kill() == FALSE );
-    }
-
-#elif defined( ST_INIT_IN_ST_H )
-#elif defined( UNDER_CE )
+#if defined( UNDER_CE )
 #elif defined( WIN32 )
 #elif defined( HAVE_KERNEL_SCHEDULER_H )
-#elif defined( PTHREAD_COND_T_IN_PTHREAD_H )
+#elif defined( LIBVLC_USE_PTHREAD )
     pthread_mutex_unlock( &once_mutex );
-#elif defined( HAVE_CTHREADS_H )
 #endif
     return VLC_SUCCESS;
 }
 
+#ifdef __linux__
+/* This is not prototyped under Linux, though it exists. */
+int pthread_mutexattr_setkind_np( pthread_mutexattr_t *attr, int kind );
+#endif
+
 /*****************************************************************************
  * vlc_mutex_init: initialize a mutex
  *****************************************************************************/
@@ -214,14 +237,7 @@ int __vlc_mutex_init( vlc_object_t *p_this, vlc_mutex_t *p_mutex )
 {
     p_mutex->p_this = p_this;
 
-#if defined( PTH_INIT_IN_PTH_H )
-    return ( pth_mutex_init( &p_mutex->mutex ) == FALSE );
-
-#elif defined( ST_INIT_IN_ST_H )
-    p_mutex->mutex = st_mutex_new();
-    return ( p_mutex->mutex == NULL ) ? errno : 0;
-
-#elif defined( UNDER_CE )
+#if defined( UNDER_CE )
     InitializeCriticalSection( &p_mutex->csection );
     return 0;
 
@@ -230,8 +246,7 @@ int __vlc_mutex_init( vlc_object_t *p_this, vlc_mutex_t *p_mutex )
      * function and have a 100% correct vlc_cond_wait() implementation.
      * As this function is not available on Win9x, we can use the faster
      * CriticalSections */
-    if( p_this->p_libvlc_global->SignalObjectAndWait &&
-        !p_this->p_libvlc_global->b_fast_mutex )
+    if( pf_SignalObjectAndWait && !b_fast_mutex )
     {
         /* We are running on NT/2K/XP, we can use SignalObjectAndWait */
         p_mutex->mutex = CreateMutex( 0, FALSE, 0 );
@@ -265,29 +280,64 @@ int __vlc_mutex_init( vlc_object_t *p_this, vlc_mutex_t *p_mutex )
     p_mutex->init = 9999;
     return B_OK;
 
-#elif defined( PTHREAD_COND_T_IN_PTHREAD_H )
-#   if defined(DEBUG) && defined(SYS_LINUX)
+#elif defined( LIBVLC_USE_PTHREAD )
+# ifndef NDEBUG
     {
         /* Create error-checking mutex to detect problems more easily. */
         pthread_mutexattr_t attr;
         int                 i_result;
 
         pthread_mutexattr_init( &attr );
+#   if defined(SYS_LINUX)
         pthread_mutexattr_setkind_np( &attr, PTHREAD_MUTEX_ERRORCHECK_NP );
+#   else
+        pthread_mutexattr_settype( &attr, PTHREAD_MUTEX_ERRORCHECK );
+#   endif
+
         i_result = pthread_mutex_init( &p_mutex->mutex, &attr );
         pthread_mutexattr_destroy( &attr );
         return( i_result );
     }
-#   endif
+# endif /* NDEBUG */
     return pthread_mutex_init( &p_mutex->mutex, NULL );
 
-#elif defined( HAVE_CTHREADS_H )
-    mutex_init( p_mutex );
-    return 0;
+#endif
+}
 
+/*****************************************************************************
+ * vlc_mutex_init: initialize a recursive mutex (Do not use)
+ *****************************************************************************/
+int __vlc_mutex_init_recursive( vlc_object_t *p_this, vlc_mutex_t *p_mutex )
+{
+#if defined( WIN32 )
+    /* Create mutex returns a recursive mutex */
+    p_mutex->mutex = CreateMutex( 0, FALSE, 0 );
+    return ( p_mutex->mutex != NULL ? 0 : 1 );
+#elif defined( LIBVLC_USE_PTHREAD )
+    pthread_mutexattr_t attr;
+    int                 i_result;
+
+    pthread_mutexattr_init( &attr );
+# ifndef NDEBUG
+    /* Create error-checking mutex to detect problems more easily. */
+#   if defined(SYS_LINUX)
+    pthread_mutexattr_setkind_np( &attr, PTHREAD_MUTEX_ERRORCHECK_NP );
+#   else
+    pthread_mutexattr_settype( &attr, PTHREAD_MUTEX_ERRORCHECK );
+#   endif
+# endif
+    pthread_mutexattr_settype( &attr, PTHREAD_MUTEX_RECURSIVE );
+    i_result = pthread_mutex_init( &p_mutex->mutex, &attr );
+    pthread_mutexattr_destroy( &attr );
+    return( i_result );
+#else
+    msg_Err(p_this, "no recursive mutex found. Falling back to regular mutex.\n"
+                    "Expect hangs\n")
+    return __vlc_mutex_init( p_this, p_mutex );
 #endif
 }
 
+
 /*****************************************************************************
  * vlc_mutex_destroy: destroy a mutex, inner version
  *****************************************************************************/
@@ -296,15 +346,8 @@ int __vlc_mutex_destroy( const char * psz_file, int i_line, vlc_mutex_t *p_mutex
     int i_result;
     /* In case of error : */
     int i_thread = -1;
-    const char * psz_error = "";
-
-#if defined( PTH_INIT_IN_PTH_H )
-    return 0;
 
-#elif defined( ST_INIT_IN_ST_H )
-    i_result = st_mutex_destroy( p_mutex->mutex );
-
-#elif defined( UNDER_CE )
+#if defined( UNDER_CE )
     DeleteCriticalSection( &p_mutex->csection );
     return 0;
 
@@ -328,24 +371,22 @@ int __vlc_mutex_destroy( const char * psz_file, int i_line, vlc_mutex_t *p_mutex
     p_mutex->init = 0;
     return B_OK;
 
-#elif defined( PTHREAD_COND_T_IN_PTHREAD_H )
+#elif defined( LIBVLC_USE_PTHREAD )
     i_result = pthread_mutex_destroy( &p_mutex->mutex );
     if( i_result )
     {
         i_thread = CAST_PTHREAD_TO_INT(pthread_self());
-        psz_error = strerror(i_result);
+        errno = i_result;
     }
 
-#elif defined( HAVE_CTHREADS_H )
-    return 0;
-
 #endif
 
     if( i_result )
     {
         msg_Err( p_mutex->p_this,
-                 "thread %d: mutex_destroy failed at %s:%d (%d:%s)",
-                 i_thread, psz_file, i_line, i_result, psz_error );
+                 "thread %d: mutex_destroy failed at %s:%d (%d:%m)",
+                 i_thread, psz_file, i_line, i_result );
+        vlc_threads_error( p_mutex->p_this );
     }
     return i_result;
 }
@@ -357,14 +398,7 @@ int __vlc_cond_init( vlc_object_t *p_this, vlc_cond_t *p_condvar )
 {
     p_condvar->p_this = p_this;
 
-#if defined( PTH_INIT_IN_PTH_H )
-    return ( pth_cond_init( &p_condvar->cond ) == FALSE );
-
-#elif defined( ST_INIT_IN_ST_H )
-    p_condvar->cond = st_cond_new();
-    return ( p_condvar->cond == NULL ) ? errno : 0;
-
-#elif defined( UNDER_CE )
+#if defined( UNDER_CE )
     /* Initialize counter */
     p_condvar->i_waiting_threads = 0;
 
@@ -380,11 +414,10 @@ int __vlc_cond_init( vlc_object_t *p_this, vlc_cond_t *p_condvar )
     p_condvar->i_waiting_threads = 0;
 
     /* Misc init */
-    p_condvar->i_win9x_cv = p_this->p_libvlc_global->i_win9x_cv;
-    p_condvar->SignalObjectAndWait = p_this->p_libvlc_global->SignalObjectAndWait;
+    p_condvar->i_win9x_cv = i_win9x_cv;
+    p_condvar->SignalObjectAndWait = pf_SignalObjectAndWait;
 
-    if( (p_condvar->SignalObjectAndWait &&
-        !p_this->p_libvlc_global->b_fast_mutex)
+    if( (p_condvar->SignalObjectAndWait && !b_fast_mutex)
         || p_condvar->i_win9x_cv == 0 )
     {
         /* Create an auto-reset event. */
@@ -430,17 +463,26 @@ int __vlc_cond_init( vlc_object_t *p_this, vlc_cond_t *p_condvar )
     p_condvar->init = 9999;
     return 0;
 
-#elif defined( PTHREAD_COND_T_IN_PTHREAD_H )
-    return pthread_cond_init( &p_condvar->cond, NULL );
+#elif defined( LIBVLC_USE_PTHREAD )
+    pthread_condattr_t attr;
+    int ret;
 
-#elif defined( HAVE_CTHREADS_H )
-    /* condition_init() */
-    spin_lock_init( &p_condvar->lock );
-    cthread_queue_init( &p_condvar->queue );
-    p_condvar->name = 0;
-    p_condvar->implications = 0;
+    ret = pthread_condattr_init (&attr);
+    if (ret)
+        return ret;
 
-    return 0;
+# if !defined (_POSIX_CLOCK_SELECTION)
+   /* Fairly outdated POSIX support (that was defined in 2001) */
+#  define _POSIX_CLOCK_SELECTION (-1)
+# endif
+# if (_POSIX_CLOCK_SELECTION >= 0)
+    /* NOTE: This must be the same clock as the one in mtime.c */
+    pthread_condattr_setclock (&attr, CLOCK_MONOTONIC);
+# endif
+
+    ret = pthread_cond_init (&p_condvar->cond, &attr);
+    pthread_condattr_destroy (&attr);
+    return ret;
 
 #endif
 }
@@ -453,15 +495,8 @@ int __vlc_cond_destroy( const char * psz_file, int i_line, vlc_cond_t *p_condvar
     int i_result;
     /* In case of error : */
     int i_thread = -1;
-    const char * psz_error = "";
-
-#if defined( PTH_INIT_IN_PTH_H )
-    return 0;
 
-#elif defined( ST_INIT_IN_ST_H )
-    i_result = st_cond_destroy( p_condvar->cond );
-
-#elif defined( UNDER_CE )
+#if defined( UNDER_CE )
     i_result = !CloseHandle( p_condvar->event );
 
 #elif defined( WIN32 )
@@ -472,30 +507,28 @@ int __vlc_cond_destroy( const char * psz_file, int i_line, vlc_cond_t *p_condvar
           || !CloseHandle( p_condvar->semaphore );
 
     if( p_condvar->semaphore != NULL )
-               DeleteCriticalSection( &p_condvar->csection );
+        DeleteCriticalSection( &p_condvar->csection );
 
 #elif defined( HAVE_KERNEL_SCHEDULER_H )
     p_condvar->init = 0;
     return 0;
 
-#elif defined( PTHREAD_COND_T_IN_PTHREAD_H )
+#elif defined( LIBVLC_USE_PTHREAD )
     i_result = pthread_cond_destroy( &p_condvar->cond );
     if( i_result )
     {
         i_thread = CAST_PTHREAD_TO_INT(pthread_self());
-        psz_error = strerror(i_result);
+        errno = i_result;
     }
 
-#elif defined( HAVE_CTHREADS_H )
-    return 0;
-
 #endif
 
     if( i_result )
     {
         msg_Err( p_condvar->p_this,
-                 "thread %d: cond_destroy failed at %s:%d (%d:%s)",
-                 i_thread, psz_file, i_line, i_result, psz_error );
+                 "thread %d: cond_destroy failed at %s:%d (%d:%m)",
+                 i_thread, psz_file, i_line, i_result );
+        vlc_threads_error( p_condvar->p_this );
     }
     return i_result;
 }
@@ -505,29 +538,21 @@ int __vlc_cond_destroy( const char * psz_file, int i_line, vlc_cond_t *p_condvar
  *****************************************************************************/
 int __vlc_threadvar_create( vlc_object_t *p_this, vlc_threadvar_t *p_tls )
 {
-#if defined( PTH_INIT_IN_PTH_H )
-#elif defined( HAVE_KERNEL_SCHEDULER_H )
-#elif defined( ST_INIT_IN_ST_H )
-    msg_Err( p_this, "TLS not implemented" );
-    return VLC_EGENERIC;
+    int i_ret = -1;
+    (void)p_this;
 
+#if defined( HAVE_KERNEL_SCHEDULER_H )
+    msg_Err( p_this, "TLS not implemented" );
+    i_ret VLC_EGENERIC;
 #elif defined( UNDER_CE ) || defined( WIN32 )
 #elif defined( WIN32 )
     p_tls->handle = TlsAlloc();
-    if( p_tls->handle == 0xFFFFFFFF )
-    {
-        return VLC_EGENERIC;
-    }
+    i_ret = !( p_tls->handle == 0xFFFFFFFF );
 
-    msg_Err( p_this, "TLS not implemented" );
-    return VLC_EGENERIC;
-
-#elif defined( PTHREAD_COND_T_IN_PTHREAD_H )
-    return pthread_key_create( &p_tls->handle, NULL );
-
-#elif defined( HAVE_CTHREADS_H )
-    return cthread_keycreate( &p_tls-handle );
+#elif defined( LIBVLC_USE_PTHREAD )
+    i_ret =  pthread_key_create( &p_tls->handle, NULL );
 #endif
+    return i_ret;
 }
 
 /*****************************************************************************
@@ -542,52 +567,51 @@ int __vlc_thread_create( vlc_object_t *p_this, const char * psz_file, int i_line
 {
     int i_ret;
     void *p_data = (void *)p_this;
+    vlc_object_internals_t *p_priv = p_this->p_internals;
 
     vlc_mutex_lock( &p_this->object_lock );
 
-#if defined( PTH_INIT_IN_PTH_H )
-    p_this->thread_id = pth_spawn( PTH_ATTR_DEFAULT, func, p_data );
-    i_ret = p_this->thread_id == NULL;
-
-#elif defined( ST_INIT_IN_ST_H )
-    p_this->thread_id = st_thread_create( func, p_data, 1, 0 );
-    i_ret = 0;
-
-#elif defined( WIN32 ) || defined( UNDER_CE )
+#if defined( WIN32 ) || defined( UNDER_CE )
     {
-        unsigned threadID;
         /* When using the MSVCRT C library you have to use the _beginthreadex
          * function instead of CreateThread, otherwise you'll end up with
          * memory leaks and the signal functions not working (see Microsoft
          * Knowledge Base, article 104641) */
-        p_this->thread_id =
 #if defined( UNDER_CE )
-                (HANDLE)CreateThread( NULL, 0, (PTHREAD_START) func,
-                                      p_data, 0, &threadID );
+        DWORD  threadId;
+        HANDLE hThread = CreateThread( NULL, 0, (LPTHREAD_START_ROUTINE)func,
+                                      (LPVOID)p_data, CREATE_SUSPENDED,
+                      &threadId );
 #else
-                (HANDLE)_beginthreadex( NULL, 0, (PTHREAD_START) func,
-                                        p_data, 0, &threadID );
+        unsigned threadId;
+        uintptr_t hThread = _beginthreadex( NULL, 0,
+                        (LPTHREAD_START_ROUTINE)func,
+                                            (void*)p_data, CREATE_SUSPENDED,
+                        &threadId );
 #endif
+        p_priv->thread_id.id = (DWORD)threadId;
+        p_priv->thread_id.hThread = (HANDLE)hThread;
+        ResumeThread((HANDLE)hThread);
     }
 
-    if( p_this->thread_id && i_priority )
+    i_ret = ( p_priv->thread_id.hThread ? 0 : 1 );
+
+    if( !i_ret && i_priority )
     {
-        if( !SetThreadPriority(p_this->thread_id, i_priority) )
+        if( !SetThreadPriority(p_priv->thread_id.hThread, i_priority) )
         {
             msg_Warn( p_this, "couldn't set a faster priority" );
             i_priority = 0;
         }
     }
 
-    i_ret = ( p_this->thread_id ? 0 : 1 );
-
 #elif defined( HAVE_KERNEL_SCHEDULER_H )
-    p_this->thread_id = spawn_thread( (thread_func)func, psz_name,
+    p_priv->thread_id = spawn_thread( (thread_func)func, psz_name,
                                       i_priority, p_data );
-    i_ret = resume_thread( p_this->thread_id );
+    i_ret = resume_thread( p_priv->thread_id );
 
-#elif defined( PTHREAD_COND_T_IN_PTHREAD_H )
-    i_ret = pthread_create( &p_this->thread_id, NULL, func, p_data );
+#elif defined( LIBVLC_USE_PTHREAD )
+    i_ret = pthread_create( &p_priv->thread_id, NULL, func, p_data );
 
 #ifndef __APPLE__
     if( config_GetInt( p_this, "rt-priority" ) )
@@ -611,11 +635,12 @@ int __vlc_thread_create( vlc_object_t *p_this, const char * psz_file, int i_line
             param.sched_priority = i_priority;
             i_policy = SCHED_RR;
         }
-        if( (i_error = pthread_setschedparam( p_this->thread_id,
+        if( (i_error = pthread_setschedparam( p_priv->thread_id,
                                                i_policy, &param )) )
         {
-            msg_Warn( p_this, "couldn't set thread priority (%s:%d): %s",
-                      psz_file, i_line, strerror(i_error) );
+            errno = i_error;
+            msg_Warn( p_this, "couldn't set thread priority (%s:%d): %m",
+                      psz_file, i_line );
             i_priority = 0;
         }
     }
@@ -626,10 +651,6 @@ int __vlc_thread_create( vlc_object_t *p_this, const char * psz_file, int i_line
     }
 #endif
 
-#elif defined( HAVE_CTHREADS_H )
-    p_this->thread_id = cthread_fork( (cthread_fn_t)func, (any_t)p_data );
-    i_ret = 0;
-
 #endif
 
     if( i_ret == 0 )
@@ -637,21 +658,30 @@ int __vlc_thread_create( vlc_object_t *p_this, const char * psz_file, int i_line
         if( b_wait )
         {
             msg_Dbg( p_this, "waiting for thread completion" );
-            vlc_cond_wait( &p_this->object_wait, &p_this->object_lock );
+            vlc_object_wait( p_this );
         }
 
-        p_this->b_thread = 1;
+        p_priv->b_thread = VLC_TRUE;
 
+#if defined( WIN32 ) || defined( UNDER_CE )
         msg_Dbg( p_this, "thread %u (%s) created at priority %d (%s:%d)",
-                 (unsigned int)p_this->thread_id, psz_name, i_priority,
+                 (unsigned int)p_priv->thread_id.id, psz_name,
+         i_priority, psz_file, i_line );
+#else
+        msg_Dbg( p_this, "thread %u (%s) created at priority %d (%s:%d)",
+                 (unsigned int)p_priv->thread_id, psz_name, i_priority,
                  psz_file, i_line );
+#endif
+
 
         vlc_mutex_unlock( &p_this->object_lock );
     }
     else
     {
-        msg_Err( p_this, "%s thread could not be created at %s:%d (%s)",
-                         psz_name, psz_file, i_line, strerror(i_ret) );
+        errno = i_ret;
+        msg_Err( p_this, "%s thread could not be created at %s:%d (%m)",
+                         psz_name, psz_file, i_line );
+        vlc_threads_error( p_this );
         vlc_mutex_unlock( &p_this->object_lock );
     }
 
@@ -665,18 +695,20 @@ int __vlc_thread_create( vlc_object_t *p_this, const char * psz_file, int i_line
 int __vlc_thread_set_priority( vlc_object_t *p_this, const char * psz_file,
                                int i_line, int i_priority )
 {
-#if defined( PTH_INIT_IN_PTH_H ) || defined( ST_INIT_IN_ST_H )
-#elif defined( WIN32 ) || defined( UNDER_CE )
-    if( !SetThreadPriority(GetCurrentThread(), i_priority) )
+    vlc_object_internals_t *p_priv = p_this->p_internals;
+#if defined( WIN32 ) || defined( UNDER_CE )
+    if( !p_priv->thread_id.hThread )
+        p_priv->thread_id.hThread = GetCurrentThread();
+    if( !SetThreadPriority(p_priv->thread_id.hThread, i_priority) )
     {
         msg_Warn( p_this, "couldn't set a faster priority" );
         return 1;
     }
 
-#elif defined( PTHREAD_COND_T_IN_PTHREAD_H )
-#ifndef __APPLE__
-    if( config_GetInt( p_this, "rt-priority" ) )
-#endif
+#elif defined( LIBVLC_USE_PTHREAD )
+# ifndef __APPLE__
+    if( config_GetInt( p_this, "rt-priority" ) > 0 )
+# endif
     {
         int i_error, i_policy;
         struct sched_param param;
@@ -696,13 +728,14 @@ int __vlc_thread_set_priority( vlc_object_t *p_this, const char * psz_file,
             param.sched_priority = i_priority;
             i_policy = SCHED_RR;
         }
-        if( !p_this->thread_id )
-            p_this->thread_id = pthread_self();
-        if( (i_error = pthread_setschedparam( p_this->thread_id,
+        if( !p_priv->thread_id )
+            p_priv->thread_id = pthread_self();
+        if( (i_error = pthread_setschedparam( p_priv->thread_id,
                                                i_policy, &param )) )
         {
-            msg_Warn( p_this, "couldn't set thread priority (%s:%d): %s",
-                      psz_file, i_line, strerror(i_error) );
+            errno = i_error;
+            msg_Warn( p_this, "couldn't set thread priority (%s:%d): %m",
+                      psz_file, i_line );
             i_priority = 0;
         }
     }
@@ -716,9 +749,7 @@ int __vlc_thread_set_priority( vlc_object_t *p_this, const char * psz_file,
  *****************************************************************************/
 void __vlc_thread_ready( vlc_object_t *p_this )
 {
-    vlc_mutex_lock( &p_this->object_lock );
-    vlc_cond_signal( &p_this->object_wait );
-    vlc_mutex_unlock( &p_this->object_lock );
+    vlc_object_signal( p_this );
 }
 
 /*****************************************************************************
@@ -726,23 +757,41 @@ void __vlc_thread_ready( vlc_object_t *p_this )
  *****************************************************************************/
 void __vlc_thread_join( vlc_object_t *p_this, const char * psz_file, int i_line )
 {
-    int i_ret = 0;
-
-#if defined( PTH_INIT_IN_PTH_H )
-    i_ret = ( pth_join( p_this->thread_id, NULL ) == FALSE );
+    vlc_object_internals_t *p_priv = p_this->p_internals;
 
-#elif defined( ST_INIT_IN_ST_H )
-    i_ret = st_thread_join( p_this->thread_id, NULL );
-
-#elif defined( UNDER_CE ) || defined( WIN32 )
+#if defined( UNDER_CE ) || defined( WIN32 )
     HMODULE hmodule;
     BOOL (WINAPI *OurGetThreadTimes)( HANDLE, FILETIME*, FILETIME*,
                                       FILETIME*, FILETIME* );
     FILETIME create_ft, exit_ft, kernel_ft, user_ft;
     int64_t real_time, kernel_time, user_time;
+    HANDLE hThread;
+    /*
+    ** object will close its thread handle when destroyed, duplicate it here
+    ** to be on the safe side
+    */
+    if( ! DuplicateHandle(GetCurrentProcess(),
+            p_priv->thread_id.hThread,
+            GetCurrentProcess(),
+            &hThread,
+            0,
+            FALSE,
+            DUPLICATE_SAME_ACCESS) )
+    {
+        msg_Err( p_this, "thread_join(%u) failed at %s:%d (%s)",
+                         (unsigned int)p_priv->thread_id.id,
+             psz_file, i_line, GetLastError() );
+        vlc_threads_error( p_this );
+        p_priv->b_thread = VLC_FALSE;
+        return;
+    }
 
-    WaitForSingleObject( p_this->thread_id, INFINITE );
+    WaitForSingleObject( hThread, INFINITE );
 
+    msg_Dbg( p_this, "thread %u joined (%s:%d)",
+             (unsigned int)p_priv->thread_id.id,
+             psz_file, i_line );
 #if defined( UNDER_CE )
     hmodule = GetModuleHandle( _T("COREDLL") );
 #else
@@ -753,7 +802,7 @@ void __vlc_thread_join( vlc_object_t *p_this, const char * psz_file, int i_line
         GetProcAddress( hmodule, _T("GetThreadTimes") );
 
     if( OurGetThreadTimes &&
-        OurGetThreadTimes( p_this->thread_id,
+        OurGetThreadTimes( hThread,
                            &create_ft, &exit_ft, &kernel_ft, &user_ft ) )
     {
         real_time =
@@ -778,33 +827,36 @@ void __vlc_thread_join( vlc_object_t *p_this, const char * psz_file, int i_line
                  user_time/60/1000000,
                  (double)((user_time%(60*1000000))/1000000.0) );
     }
-    CloseHandle( p_this->thread_id );
+    CloseHandle( hThread );
 
-#elif defined( HAVE_KERNEL_SCHEDULER_H )
-    int32_t exit_value;
-    wait_for_thread( p_this->thread_id, &exit_value );
+#else /* !defined(WIN32) */
 
-#elif defined( PTHREAD_COND_T_IN_PTHREAD_H )
-    i_ret = pthread_join( p_this->thread_id, NULL );
+    int i_ret = 0;
+
+#if defined( HAVE_KERNEL_SCHEDULER_H )
+    int32_t exit_value;
+    i_ret = (B_OK == wait_for_thread( p_priv->thread_id, &exit_value ));
 
-#elif defined( HAVE_CTHREADS_H )
-    cthread_join( p_this->thread_id );
-    i_ret = 1;
+#elif defined( LIBVLC_USE_PTHREAD )
+    i_ret = pthread_join( p_priv->thread_id, NULL );
 
 #endif
 
     if( i_ret )
     {
-        msg_Err( p_this, "thread_join(%u) failed at %s:%d (%s)",
-                         (unsigned int)p_this->thread_id, psz_file, i_line,
-                         strerror(i_ret) );
+        errno = i_ret;
+        msg_Err( p_this, "thread_join(%u) failed at %s:%d (%m)",
+                         (unsigned int)p_priv->thread_id, psz_file, i_line );
+        vlc_threads_error( p_this );
     }
     else
     {
         msg_Dbg( p_this, "thread %u joined (%s:%d)",
-                         (unsigned int)p_this->thread_id, psz_file, i_line );
+                         (unsigned int)p_priv->thread_id, psz_file, i_line );
     }
 
-    p_this->b_thread = 0;
+#endif
+
+    p_priv->b_thread = VLC_FALSE;
 }