Difference between DART Isolate and Thread (Java,C#)

Issue

For me The DART Isolate looks like a Thread (Java/C#) with a different terminology. In which aspect Isolate differs from a Thread?

Solution

Threads use shared memory, isolates don’t.

For example, the following pseudocode in Java/C#

class MyClass {
  static int count = 0;
}

// Thread 1: 
MyClass.count++;
print(MyClass.count); // 1;

// Thread 2:
MyClass.count++;
print(MyClass.count); // 2;

This also runs the risk of the shared memory being modified simultaneously by both threads.

Whereas in Dart,

class MyClass {
  static int count = 0;
}

// Isolate 1: 
MyClass.count++;
print(MyClass.count); // 1;

// Isolate 2:
MyClass.count++;
print(MyClass.count); // 1;

Isolates are isolated from each other. The only way to communicate between them is to pass messages. One isolate can listen for callbacks from the other.

Check out the docs here including the “isolate concepts” section.

Answered By – Chris Buckett

Answer Checked By – Jay B. (FlutterFixes Admin)

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