Java has several methods to carry out certain actions.
A method is a group of code which runs only when it is called; and may or may not return a result.
Methods like sleep and wait are used for multithreading. Both of them pause and sends the thread into waiting but have major differences in functioning.
Key Takeaways
- “Sleep” is a state of rest in which the body and mind are inactive, while “Wait” is staying in one place or delaying action until a specific event occurs.
- “Sleep” is a natural and necessary bodily function, while “Wait” is a voluntary action that can be chosen or avoided.
- “Sleep” is associated with nighttime, while “Wait” can occur at any time of the day.
Sleep vs Wait
The difference between the sleep() and wait() method is that the sleep() method is used in the program to pause the execution of the current thread for a particular time period while the wait() method is used in the program to pause or suspend the current thread until specific methods are invoked.
During the use of the sleep method, the current thread does not lose ownership of the monitor.
Sleep is a static method and is a part of the class thread. After the wait time gets over, the thread goes back to the original runnable state.
It ensures complete utilization of the CPU while waiting.
Whereas the wait() method is used in the Java program to order the current thread to wait until another thread is not invoked for that object.
The thread then continues with the execution once it obtains control of the monitor.
It is not a static method, unlike sleep, and is part of an object class.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of comparison | Sleep | Wait |
|---|---|---|
| Class | The sleep method is a part of thread class | The wait method is a part of object class |
| Type of method | Sleep is a static method | Wait is not a static method |
| Calling technique | The sleep method can be called from outside the synchronized context | The wait method can be called only from the synchronized context |
| Lock release | Sleep method does not release the lock on the object, for the specified timeout, during synchronization | Wait method releases the lock on the object, to have a chance to execute, during synchronization |
| Declaration | public static void sleep() | public final void wait() |
What is Sleep?
The thread sleep() is a static method in Java program which suspends the current thread and puts it in a wait state for a stipulated time period.
Once the wait state and time are over, the thread condition is changed to a runnable state. And then waits for the CPU for further execution.
The aim of this method is to create a delay for a few seconds in the program and simultaneously have maximum utilization of the CPU.
If the system is busy or overloaded, then the wait or pause time is more, and otherwise, it would be less or equal to the actual time.
The return type of sleep method can be said void, as it does not return any value.
Sleep thread does not lose the monitor or lock the thread that it has acquired already.
If, in any case, the sleep is disturbed, the thread would throw Interrupted_Exception.
The actual duration for which the thread would sleep depends on the schedulers and system timers which are a part of the operating system.
The syntax of the sleep method is – public static void sleep(long milliseconds)
public static void sleep(long milliseconds, int nanoseconds)
Here milliseconds and nanoseconds are the time for which the thread would sleep.
What is Wait?
Wait() is a method used for inter-thread communication.
Whenever the wait() thread is used, the calling or current thread is paused and suspended until methods like notify() or notifyAll() are invoked in the system.
notify() method would wake specified threads while notifyAll() is applicable for every thread.
When synchronized, the wait method gives up the lock to the resources.
There is no return value of the Wait method, hence it can be said that it returns void.
The two exceptions of the Wait method are Interrupted_Exception (when the current thread is interrupted during its sleep) and IllegalMonitorStateException (when the current thread is not the owner of the object on the monitor).
The Wait method is a part of the object class. The method is only applicable and can be called over a synchronized block.
The wait method sets the suspended or locked screen free during synchronization.
And the Wait method exclusively allows the synchronized multiple threads to access the same object one by one.
The syntax of the Wait method is – public final void wait()
Main Differences Between Sleep and Wait
- The Sleep method causes the thread to sleep for a specified and particular time period, for specified timeout unless expired or interrupted, while the Wait method causes the thread to sleep until methods like notify() or notifyAll() are invoked.
- The Sleep method executes on a thread, while the Wait method executes on an object.
- The Sleep method is used for time synchronisation, while the Wait method is used for multiple-thread synchronization.
- During the Wait thread, synchronized multiple threads can access the same object adjacently, while in the Sleep thread, synchronized multiple threads have to wait for the sleep of the current thread to get over.
- The Wait method sets the lock or monitor free, while the Sleep method does not set the monitor free during sleep or wait of the current thread.
- https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/51fd/24ae444910fd39b117bb3044a12591f038fa.pdf
- https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/289524.289572
Last Updated : 31 July, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
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